This is a selection of quotes by Dr. David B. Perley (d. 1979), extracted from his book ‘A Collection of Writings on Assyrians‘, published by Nineveh Press (2016). (Page references refers to the book.)
“One’s being an Assyrian is a synthesis of heritage, religion and culture, and emotional consciousness that transcends all diversities, theological demographic, and otherwise. To be an Assyrian is to feel: The past is my heritage I shall forget it not; the present, my responsibility; the future, my challenge.” – p. 198
“I am an Assyrian. Therefore, I am interested in the Assyrian national destiny as well as I their national dilemma. What binds me to the Assyrians is a sentiment of duty and reverence. I am tied to them in the same way as I am bound to my father and mother and my family and my Vatan in spirit.” – p. 199
“Assyrians are not a narrow tribe of men and women. We do not expect any country to give us happiness, but we can count upon it not to prevent us in matters having reference to the pursuit of happiness. We cannot long any country to promise the Assyrians wealth; we can aspire, however, to equality of opportunity to live in economic, human dignity by the sweat of the brow. We do not ask for wisdom as a gift, but we can expect freedom and equality of speech and education in local as well as in the (Aramaic) Assyrian language.” – p. 201
“I am an Assyrian, and as an Assyrian I am obligated to be actively interested in the destiny of the Assyrians, once the greatest nation, now almost forgotten. I would be an arch-criminal if I failed to assume this obligation.” – p. 679
“Nowhere, with few exceptions, do the Assyrians enjoy constitutional guarantees of life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness; no due process of the law, and the like; nor are they enjoying the common privileges of the first-class citizens. In fact, it is as if they were, and are, reduced to the dust of the earth.” – pp. 679–80
“Somehow all Assyrians are tied together in a single garmet of destiny. Indeed, we are caught in an inescapable network of destiny. The Nestorian needs the Jacobite; the Jacobite needs the Chaldean; and they all need each other. None is an island entirely of itself. Everyone is part of that main Assyrian national stream. We cannot emphasize enough that our destinies are tied together.” – p. 680
“Jacobites are Jacobites only by virtue of their religious faith; they are Assyrians by virtue of their nationality. As such they resent any injustice that is directed against any part of their national composition, for – “No distance breaks the tie of blood; Brothers are brothers evermore.” The soul of Assyria is spiritual through and through and not material. You cannot destroy that which is spiritual; it is coexistent with eternity.” – p. 681
“When a person is of Assyrian blood, he retains his birthright, self-esteem, and the heritage of his fathers. It is for this very reason that he may be called a Jacobite-Assyrian, Nestorian-Assyrian, Assyrian-Presbyterian, or Chaldean-Christian. Calling someone a Jacobite-Assyrian should be no more amazing than calling some one else an Irish Catholic. It is a mere matter of hyphenated description, not a hyphenation or division. A hyphen does not divide; it unites. The use of the term Nestorian-Assyrian is the simplest way of designating a Nestorian, who comes from, or who has, an Assyrian background. The term Assyrian is one single unity. The approach of this oneness of all Assyrians regardless of their religious adherence, is through the avenue of blood, and through the majesty of common memories. Religion is a faith acquired and is changeable. Nationality is one’s flesh and blood; it is his total nature. Even death cannot undo it.” – p. 681
“O Soul of Assyria! My one regret is that I have but one life to devote to your marvels not yet revealed!” – p. 682
“The soul of Assyria is spiritual through and through and that which is spiritual is coexistent with eternity.” – p. 682
“I am an Assyrian (of the Assyrian Jacobite faith). To be an Assyrian is not a cause for pity and shame, but a cause for pride and respect.” – p. 682
“We are all Assyrians indiscriminately. We are all genuine brothers and sisters and direct descendants of the same historic empire. Sects you are talking about are simply treacherous means, used by our historic enemies, to fragment, to weaken and push us unto slavery.” – p. 683
Selected quotes by Dr. David B. Perley
This is a selection of quotes by Dr. David B. Perley (d. 1979), extracted from his book ‘A Collection of Writings on Assyrians‘, published by Nineveh Press (2016). (Page references refers to the book.)
“One’s being an Assyrian is a synthesis of heritage, religion and culture, and emotional consciousness that transcends all diversities, theological demographic, and otherwise. To be an Assyrian is to feel: The past is my heritage I shall forget it not; the present, my responsibility; the future, my challenge.” – p. 198
“I am an Assyrian. Therefore, I am interested in the Assyrian national destiny as well as I their national dilemma. What binds me to the Assyrians is a sentiment of duty and reverence. I am tied to them in the same way as I am bound to my father and mother and my family and my Vatan in spirit.” – p. 199
“Assyrians are not a narrow tribe of men and women. We do not expect any country to give us happiness, but we can count upon it not to prevent us in matters having reference to the pursuit of happiness. We cannot long any country to promise the Assyrians wealth; we can aspire, however, to equality of opportunity to live in economic, human dignity by the sweat of the brow. We do not ask for wisdom as a gift, but we can expect freedom and equality of speech and education in local as well as in the (Aramaic) Assyrian language.” – p. 201
“I am an Assyrian, and as an Assyrian I am obligated to be actively interested in the destiny of the Assyrians, once the greatest nation, now almost forgotten. I would be an arch-criminal if I failed to assume this obligation.” – p. 679
“Nowhere, with few exceptions, do the Assyrians enjoy constitutional guarantees of life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness; no due process of the law, and the like; nor are they enjoying the common privileges of the first-class citizens. In fact, it is as if they were, and are, reduced to the dust of the earth.” – pp. 679–80
“Somehow all Assyrians are tied together in a single garmet of destiny. Indeed, we are caught in an inescapable network of destiny. The Nestorian needs the Jacobite; the Jacobite needs the Chaldean; and they all need each other. None is an island entirely of itself. Everyone is part of that main Assyrian national stream. We cannot emphasize enough that our destinies are tied together.” – p. 680
“Jacobites are Jacobites only by virtue of their religious faith; they are Assyrians by virtue of their nationality. As such they resent any injustice that is directed against any part of their national composition, for – “No distance breaks the tie of blood; Brothers are brothers evermore.”
The soul of Assyria is spiritual through and through and not material. You cannot destroy that which is spiritual; it is coexistent with eternity.” – p. 681
“When a person is of Assyrian blood, he retains his birthright, self-esteem, and the heritage of his fathers. It is for this very reason that he may be called a Jacobite-Assyrian, Nestorian-Assyrian, Assyrian-Presbyterian, or Chaldean-Christian. Calling someone a Jacobite-Assyrian should be no more amazing than calling some one else an Irish Catholic. It is a mere matter of hyphenated description, not a hyphenation or division. A hyphen does not divide; it unites. The use of the term Nestorian-Assyrian is the simplest way of designating a Nestorian, who comes from, or who has, an Assyrian background. The term Assyrian is one single unity. The approach of this oneness of all Assyrians regardless of their religious adherence, is through the avenue of blood, and through the majesty of common memories. Religion is a faith acquired and is changeable. Nationality is one’s flesh and blood; it is his total nature. Even death cannot undo it.” – p. 681
“O Soul of Assyria! My one regret is that I have but one life to devote to your marvels not yet revealed!” – p. 682
“The soul of Assyria is spiritual through and through and that which is spiritual is coexistent with eternity.” – p. 682
“I am an Assyrian (of the Assyrian Jacobite faith). To be an Assyrian is not a cause for pity and shame, but a cause for pride and respect.” – p. 682
“We are all Assyrians indiscriminately. We are all genuine brothers and sisters and direct descendants of the same historic empire. Sects you are talking about are simply treacherous means, used by our historic enemies, to fragment, to weaken and push us unto slavery.” – p. 683
Read all of David B. Perley’s quotes, articles and book reviews in ‘A Collection of Writings on Assyrians‘. Order your copy here.