“The greatest waste in the world is the difference between what we are and what we could become.” Quoted by religious leader, Ben Herbster, this maxim is meant to motivate all that read it. The quote empowers the reader to follow his/her hopes and become the person of his/her dreams. All who read this quote are inspired not to waste a single moment in their precious life. Our minds must not be wasted, but in contrast, must be tested and used to their utmost ability. The goals that we make for ourselves must be set high, and we need to strive for these goals and dreams everyday. For, if we do not, our energy for life will wither away and leave us empty.
Today, we are no longer allowed to follow our absolute dreams and goals with no worries to the happenings of the world around us. Now a far greater meaning is interpreted from Ben Herbster’s quote. New meanings that pose questions such as: What is happening to our world? What will become of our nation? Is the United States truly going to waste away and allow barbaric foreigners to take away our country’s pride? These unanswerable questions are those that lurk on every American’s mind. Using Herbster’s ideas as a basis, we must consider what peace we can find in the midst of war.
Classified as a great English economic historian and philosopher, Arnold Toynbee influenced many students in his profound teachings at the college of Oxford. Although he lived to be only 31, he held a tremendous impact on many lives. His belief that success comes from hard work and cooperation are morals that remain a focus in today’s society. Before dying in 1883, Toynbee said, “History teaches us that when a barbarian race confronts a sleeping culture, the barbarian always wins.”
On Tuesday, September 11, we as a nation were caught sleeping. We were completely caught off-guard and utterly speechless to the tragedy that was unfolding before our very eyes. For so many years we have come to believe that our nation is far too superior for any destruction or mishap to take place. However, on this horrible day, we were proven wrong. The present day barbarian race that confronted our nation is the terrorist group known as the Taliban. But, this day in history was and will continue to be the only day that a foreign barbaric group will enter into our nation, for we will win the battle for peace.
I strongly disagree with Arnold Toynbee’s ideas. He is not alive today to witness a nation so great and so determined as ours. If he was, he would observe the peace and the unity that has swept across the entire country. The United States of America will not allow Afghanistan, or its brutal Taliban followers to take away our sense of peace and safety. Let it be known to all that our country is no longer sleeping. We are now wide-awake and ready to conquer any evil, terrorist race that confronts us. Never again will anyone tear apart the peace and unity that we as Americans hold for our nation.
In 1866, a Swedish chemist and inventor, Alfred Bernhard Nobel, created a disastrous
combination known as dynamite. In addition to the time and effort that he spent as an inventor and a chemist, Nobel was also noted for his great wisdom. On his death in 1896, he left a fund from the interest of which annual awards, called Nobel Prizes, were to be given for work in physics, chemistry, medicine, or literature, and also toward the promotion of international peace. One of the most profound statements ever quoted was when Alfred Nobel said, “My dynamite will sooner lead to peace than a thousand world conventions. As soon as men will find that in one instant whole armies can be utterly destroyed, they surely will abide by golden peace.”
Although written over 100 years ago, this quote is an accurate reality of what has taken place today. It is true that despite the countless worldwide conventions nothing has promoted peace. It has, in fact, taken a national tragedy to finally create a sense of peace against a world filled with immorality and corruption.
Too often, people take for granted the freedoms we are given in our country. It is truly tragic that a nation must be on the brink of war before any unity is found. Why must we be face to face with the reality of war before any sense of peace is finally revealed? Why must there be a massive destruction to occur before such peace is sought and found?
We as a country must be compelled to overcome these unjust terroristic acts. We must remember the patriotism we feel, and we must never lose that superb feeling of nationality in the years to come. “You are The Greatest of Nations and the world will always look to you, follow your examples and know that you are the icons of Freedom, Compassion and Justice.” This quote, written by an anonymous author from the United Kingdom, proves just how powerful we as a nation have become.
Over time, we have gained great respect and support from many countries. Being an icon to the world, we are looked up to as courageous, strong leaders. We have become a nation of numerous freedoms and tremendous diversity. Whether in time of triumph or war, our nation must always remain in peace and unity. Let us continue to succeed, and may we always look up to Marten Luther’s words for the incentive to persevere in the midst of trial: “Peace is more important than all justice; and peace was not made for the sake of justice, but justice for the sake of peace.”