Definition
To refrain from destructive military or paramilitary acts (war, terrorism, etc.) and put energy and resources to peaceful ends that would otherwise go to violence.
Origins
From Isaiah 2:4 of the Bible.
In Context
- "There are two choices before us: We can beat our plowshares into swords and prepare for war, or we can beat our swords into plowshares and prepare for peace."
- "What do the 90s mean for those who wish to beat swords into plowshares? First, they call for gratitude to the courageous women and men who nonviolently toppled dictators and tumbled walls."
- "Since 1987, Mugabe has been the President of the country. Here is a man, who, at independence, made us believe that we had beaten our swords into ploughshares and our spears into pruning hooks only to torment Joshua Nkomo and his Zapu, as well as innocent civilians."