But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government.

Henry David Thoreau, Civil Disobedience

Consider also:

  1. “Eirene, the goddess of peace, could barely contain her delight. If the absence of Death meant the absence of war then surely her time had come?”
  2. “There was nothing more to happen; everything had already happened except for one trifle which would be over soon.”
  3. “The government itself, which is only the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and perverted before the people can act through it.”
  4. “Judith, who had time on her hands and ice in her heart, engaged them in dark conversations”
  5. “Her beatitude leant forward to her, as if to embrace. The rich presence enveloped her; out of a broken and contrite heart she sighed with joy. On the inhaled breath her splendour glowed again; on the exhaled it passed. She stood alone, at peace. Dawn was in the air; ecce omnia nova facio.”