To give up the task of reforming society is to give up one’s responsibility as a free man.
ALAN PATONTo give up the task of reforming society is to give up one’s responsibility as a free man.
ALAN PATONThe truth is, our civilization is not Christian; it is a tragic compound of great ideal and fearful practice, of loving charity and fearful clutching of possessions.
ALAN PATONSomething deep is touched here, something that is good and deep.
ALAN PATONThen some unknown rebellion brewed in you, doing harm to you, though how I do not understand.
ALAN PATONSuch development has only one true name, and that is exploitation.
ALAN PATONBut the one thing that has power completely is love, because when a man loves, he seeks no power, and therefore he has power.
ALAN PATONBut to punish and not to restore, that is the greatest of all offences.
ALAN PATONBut when the dawn will come, of our emancipation, from the fear of bondage and the bondage of fear, why, that is a secret.
ALAN PATONI envision someday a great, peaceful South Africa in which the world will take pride, a nation in which each of many different groups will be making its own creative contribution.
ALAN PATONHappy the eyes that can close
ALAN PATONWho knows for what we live, and struggle, and die?…
ALAN PATONWhen a deep injury is done us, we never recover until we forgive.
ALAN PATONThere is not much talking now. A silence falls upon them all.
ALAN PATONCry, the beloved country, for the unborn child that’s the inheritor of our fear.
ALAN PATONWhen men are ruled by fear, they strive to prevent the very changes that will abate it.
ALAN PATONNow God be thanked that the name of a hill is such music, that the name of a river can heal.
ALAN PATON