Much is being said about peace; and no man desires peace more ardently than I. Still, I am yet unprepared to give up the Union for a peace which, so achieved, could not be of much duration.

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About this quote

The line says value genuine, lasting outcomes over quick, fragile settlements. Make choices that protect what matters most, even when the harder path demands patience and steady resolve.

When to use it

  • A CEO refuses a quick buyout that would sacrifice the company's mission just to stop investor pressure; she chooses the tougher route to preserve long-term purpose.
  • You end a relationship that offers calm but costs your self-respect, because short-term peace would hollow out what truly matters.
  • A development team rejects a rushed patch that breaks core features; they push for the slower fix that keeps the product reliable.
  • A community organizer turns down a superficial compromise that would silence real change, choosing sustained effort over a fleeting truce.