A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It’s a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity.

Jimmy Carter (b. 1924) American politician, US President (1977-1981), Nobel laureate [James Earl Carter, Jr.]

“Warm Hearts and Cool Heads,” speech, Liberal Party dinner, New York City (14 Oct 1976)
    (Source)

The title of the speech was from a phrase coined by Adlai Stevenson.