for Patrick
In my opinion, the job of the Christian is to try to give an example of sanity, independence, human integrity, good sense as well as Christian love and wisdom, against all establishments and all mass movements and all current fashions which are merely mindless and hysterical. But of course are they? And do we get hung up in merely futile moral posturing? Well, somewhere we have to choose. The most popular and exciting thing at the moment is not necessarily the best choice.
–Thomas Merton
quoted in Apostle of Peace: Essays in Honor of Daniel Berrigan
