Peace is a goal too great to be abandoned.
The Nobel Peace Prize is an icon that symbolizes our love of peace and therefore is an honor too great to be declined.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Nobel Committee:
The Nobel Peace Prize has become the icon by which the world expresses it love of peace and its admiration of peacemakers. It has be awarded to heros whose accomplishments are the stuff of legends; it has been awarded to committees whose members volunteered to live the nightmares of world in the hope that world can live the dreams of peace.
Maybe no one can pretend to be worthy to stand among such giants. I certainly cannot. Many have challenged the credentials of any committee that would select me. Many have called the selection an affront to all who have been selected before.
Many have said I should admit my unworthiness and decline the Nobel Peace Prize.
I cannot. I cannot turn my back on the Nobel Peace Prize. I cannot turn my back on the promise of peace.
I have said I am humbled. I tell you now that the phrase is inadequate to express its own truth. I am truly humbled to be called a peacemaker, for there is no greater goal. There is no greater goal for person. There is no greater goal for a President. There is no greater goal for a country or for the world.
And so I will accept the Nobel Peace Prize in the name of all of those who would be peacemakers. I will accept the Nobel Peace Prize in the name of all of those who support me in the cause of peace. I will accept the Nobel Peace Prize as an affirmation that peace is my goal; peace is our goal; peace is the goal.
I will not accept the Nobel Peace Prize because the goal of peace has been achieved, but because the goal of peace can never be abandoned. I will accept the Nobel Peace Prize as a command to be dedicated to the goal of peace for the rest of my life and in the hopes that my life will forever challenge others to that goal.
Peace.