WIST Quotations

Stevenson, Adlai -- Speech (1965-07-09), “Strengthening the International Development Institutions,” sec. 12, United Nations Economic and Social Council, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland

Dave — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 17:03:45 +0000

Joint action is, after all, the final significance of all we do in our international politics today. But we are still held back by our old parochial nationalisms. We are still beset by dark prejudices. We are still divided by angry, conflicting ideologies. Yet all around us our science, our instruments, our technologies, our interests, and indeed our deepest aspirations draw us more and more closely into a single neighborhood.

Adlai Stevenson II (1900–1965) American politician, diplomat, statesman
Speech (1965-07-09), “Strengthening the International Development Institutions,” sec. 12, United Nations Economic and Social Council, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
(Source)

Stevenson was serving as UN Ambassador from the United States. He died of a heart attack on 1965-07-14, while in London after this trip. This was his last public address, and was read into the Congressional Record for the House of Representatives, 89th US Congress (1965-07-15) by Rep. Abraham Multer of New York.

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano -- Message (1945-01-06) to Congress, Annual Message (State of the Union)

Dave — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:31:06 +0000

In the future world the misuse of power, as implied in the term “power politics,” must not be a controlling factor in international relations. That is the heart of the principles to which we have subscribed. We cannot deny that power is a factor in world politics any more than we can deny its existence as a factor in national politics. But in a democratic world, as in a democratic Nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) American lawyer, politician, statesman, US President (1933–1945)
Message (1945-01-06) to Congress, Annual Message (State of the Union)
(Source)

Stevenson, Adlai -- Speech (1952-08-27), “The Nature of Patriotism,” American Legion Convention, Madison Square Garden, New York City

Dave — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:09:47 +0000

The United States has very large power in the world today. And the partner of power — the corollary — is responsibility. It is our high task to use our power with a sure hand and a steady touch — with the self-restraint that goes with confident strength. The purpose of our power must never be lost in the fact of our power — and the purpose, I take it, is the promotion of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

Adlai Stevenson II (1900–1965) American politician, diplomat, statesman
Speech (1952-08-27), “The Nature of Patriotism,” American Legion Convention, Madison Square Garden, New York City
(Source)

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano -- Speech (1936-08-14), Chautauqua, New York

Dave — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:19:47 +0000

The noblest monument to peace and to neighborly economic and social friendship in all the world is not a monument in bronze or stone, but the boundary which unites the United States and Canada — 3,000 miles of friendship with no barbed wire, no gun or soldier, and no passport on the whole frontier. Mutual trust made that frontier.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) American lawyer, politician, statesman, US President (1933–1945)
Speech (1936-08-14), Chautauqua, New York
(Source)

The film recording of the speech shows minor variations from the official text above:

The noblest monument to peace, the noblest monument to economic and social friendship in all the world is not a monument in bronze or stone, but the boundary which unites the United States and Canada -- 3,000 miles of friendship, with no barbed wire, no guns, no soldiers, and no passports on the whole frontier. What made it? Mutual trust.

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano -- Speech (1945-04-13), Jefferson Day (undelivered)

Dave — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 21:49:52 +0000

We seek peace — enduring peace. More than an end to war, we want an end to the beginnings of all wars — yes, an end to this brutal, inhuman, and thoroughly impractical method of settling the differences between governments.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) American lawyer, politician, statesman, US President (1933–1945)
Speech (1945-04-13), Jefferson Day (undelivered)
(Source)

Roosevelt died the day before this speech was to be delivered by radio.

Stevenson, Adlai -- Speech (1952-08-27), “The Nature of Patriotism,” American Legion Convention, Madison Square Garden, New York City

Dave — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 23:59:41 +0000

I am not sure that, historically, there has been another powerful nation that has been trusted as the United States is trusted today. It is something new under the sun when the proudest nations on earth have not only accepted American leadership in the common defense effort, but have also welcomed our troops and bases on their territory.

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano -- Speech (1945-01-20), Inaugural Address, Washington, D.C.

Dave — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:26:38 +0000

We can gain no lasting peace if we approach it with suspicion and mistrust — or with fear. We can gain it only if we proceed with the understanding and the confidence and the courage which flow from conviction.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) American lawyer, politician, statesman, US President (1933–1945)
Speech (1945-01-20), Inaugural Address, Washington, D.C.
(Source)

(Source (Audio))

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano -- Speech (1945-01-20), Inaugural Address, Washington, D.C.

Dave — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 21:59:39 +0000

We have learned that we cannot live alone, at peace; that our own well-being is dependent on the well-being of other Nations, far away. We have learned that we must live as men and not as ostriches, nor as dogs in the manger.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) American lawyer, politician, statesman, US President (1933–1945)
Speech (1945-01-20), Inaugural Address, Washington, D.C.
(Source)

(Source (Audio); dialog verified)

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano -- Message (1945-01-06) to Congress, Annual Message (State of the Union)

Dave — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 22:39:01 +0000

Nations, like individuals, do not always see alike or think alike, and international cooperation and progress are not helped by any Nation assuming that it has a monopoly of wisdom or of virtue.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) American lawyer, politician, statesman, US President (1933–1945)
Message (1945-01-06) to Congress, Annual Message (State of the Union)
(Source)

In 1945, Roosevelt delivered the SOTU as a written message to Congress, not as a speech.

Kristof, Nicholas -- “The Foreign Relations Fumbler,” New York Times (16 Sep 2012)

Dave — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 18:39:14 +0000

Diplomacy mostly consists of managing crazies who are making unreasonable demands in impossible situations with no solutions. And those are just our allies.

Nicholas Kristof (b. 1959) American journalist and political commentator
“The Foreign Relations Fumbler,” New York Times (16 Sep 2012)
(Source)

Biden, Joe -- Inaugural Address (20 Jan 2021)

Dave — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 19:13:54 +0000

We will lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example.

Joe Biden (b. 1942) American politician, US President (2021- ) [Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.]
Inaugural Address (20 Jan 2021)
(Source)

Regarding American foreign relations.

Mills, C. Wright -- The Causes of World War Three (1958)

Dave — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 16:18:03 +0000

They know of no solutions to the paradoxes of the Middle East and Europe, the Far East and Africa except the landing of Marines. Being baffled, and also being very tired of being baffled, they have come to believe that there is no way out — except war — which would remove all the bewildering paradoxes of their tedious and now misguided attempts to construct peace. In place of these paradoxes they prefer the bright, clear problems of war — as they used to be. For they still believe that “winning” means something, although they never tell us what.

C. Wright Mills (1916–1962) American sociologist, academic, author [Charles Wright Mills]
The Causes of World War Three (1958)
(Source)

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano -- Speech (1940-12-29), “Fireside Chat: Arsenal of Democracy” (radio broadcast)

Dave — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 01:23:57 +0000

The experience of the past two years has proven beyond doubt that no nation can appease the Nazis. No man can tame a tiger into a kitten by stroking it. There can be no appeasement with ruthlessness. There can be no reasoning with an incendiary bomb. We know now that a nation can have peace with the Nazis only at the price of total surrender.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) American lawyer, politician, statesman, US President (1933–1945)
Speech (1940-12-29), “Fireside Chat: Arsenal of Democracy” (radio broadcast)
(Source)

Eisenhower, Dwight David -- Lecture (1950-03-23), Inaugural Gabriel Silver Lecture, Columbia University

Dave — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 19:11:35 +0000

The best foreign policy is to live our daily lives in honesty, decency, and integrity; at home, making our own land a more fitting habitation for free men; and abroad, joining with those of like mind and heart, to make of the world a place where all men can dwell in peace.

Dwight David Eisenhower (1890–1969) American general, US President (1953–61)
Lecture (1950-03-23), Inaugural Gabriel Silver Lecture, Columbia University

Eisenhower was President of Columbia University at the time. The quote was widely used in an "I Believe" advertisement for Eisenhower during the 1956 election.

(Sources 1 and 2)

Dunne, Finley Peter -- (Attributed)

Dave — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 17:01:16 +0000

There are no friends at cards or world politics

Finley Peter Dunne (1867–1936) American humorist and journalist
(Attributed)

Eisenhower, Dwight David -- News Conference (23 Mar 1955)

Dave — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 13:59:22 +0000

I have said time and again there is no place on this earth to which I would not travel, there is no chore I would not undertake if I had any faintest hope that, by so doing, I would promote the general cause of world peace.

Dwight David Eisenhower (1890–1969) American general, US President (1953–61)
News Conference (23 Mar 1955)

Eisenhower, Dwight David -- “Developments in Eastern Europe and the Middle East,” Broadcast Speech (31 Oct 1956)

Dave — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:58:08 +0000

The peace we seek and need means much more than mere absence of war. It means the acceptance of law, and the fostering of justice, in all the world.

Dwight David Eisenhower (1890–1969) American general, US President (1953–61)
“Developments in Eastern Europe and the Middle East,” Broadcast Speech (31 Oct 1956)

Barnet, Richard -- Roots of War, 5.1 (1971)

Dave — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 12:58:15 +0000

Institutions like to continue doing what they have been doing, always on a grander scale, if possible. When old enemies disappear, mellow, or turn into allies, as frequently happens in international relations, new enemies must be found and new threats must be discovered. The failure to replenish the supply of enemies is the supreme threat facing any national security bureaucracy.

Richard J. Barnet (1929–2004) American scholar, writer, activist
Roots of War, 5.1 (1971)

Jefferson, Thomas -- Letter (1807-07-16) to Anne-Louise-Germaine Necker, Baronne de Staël-Holstein

Dave — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 11:57:56 +0000

We have borne patiently a great deal of wrong, on the consideration that if nations go to war for every degree of injury, there would never be peace on earth. But when patience has begotten false estimates of it’s motives, when wrongs are pressed because it is believed they will be borne, resistance becomes morality.

Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801–09)
Letter (1807-07-16) to Anne-Louise-Germaine Necker, Baronne de Staël-Holstein
(Source)

Roosevelt, Eleanor -- India and the Awakening East, Conclusion (1953)

Dave — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 13:54:53 +0000

We must show by our behavior that we believe in equality and justice and that our religion teaches faith and love and charity to our fellow men. Here is where each of us has a job to do that must be done at home, because we can lose the battle on the soil of the United States just as surely as we can lose it in any one of the countries of the world.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) First Lady of the US (1933–1945), politician, diplomat, activist
India and the Awakening East, Conclusion (1953)
(Source)

Jefferson, Thomas -- Letter (1808-02-29) to the New York Tammany Society

Dave — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 12:49:01 +0000

The crisis in which [our country] is placed cannot but be unwelcome to those who love peace, yet spurn at a tame submission to wrong.

Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801–09)
Letter (1808-02-29) to the New York Tammany Society
(Source)

Sent to Jacob Van Dervoort, and addressed to "the Society of Tammany or Columbian order No. 1 of the city of New York."

Jefferson, Thomas -- Letter (1803-07-10) to the Earl of Buchan

Dave — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 14:27:20 +0000

My hope of preserving peace for our country is not founded in the quaker principle of non resistance under every wrong, but in the belief that a just and friendly conduct on our part will procure justice and friendship from others, and that, in the existing contest, each of the combatants will find an interest in our friendship.

Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801–09)
Letter (1803-07-10) to the Earl of Buchan
(Source)

Berry, Wendell -- Essay (1999), “The Failure of War,” Citizenship Papers (2003)

Dave — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:26:50 +0000

What could be more absurd, to begin with, than our attitude of high moral outrage against other nations for manufacturing the selfsame weapons that we manufacture? The difference, as our leaders say, is that we will use these weapons virtuously, whereas our enemies will use them maliciously — a proposition that too readily conforms to a proposition of much less dignity: we will use them in our interest, whereas our enemies will use them in theirs.

Wendell Berry (b. 1934) American farmer, educator, poet, conservationist
Essay (1999), “The Failure of War,” Citizenship Papers (2003)
(Source)

Schopenhauer, Arthur -- Parerga and Paralipomena, Vol. 1, “Aphorisms on the Wisdom of Life [Aphorismen zur Lebensweisheit],” ch. 4 “Position, or a Man’s Place in the Estimation of Others [Von dem, was einer vorstellt]” (1851) [tr. Saunders (1890), 4.2]

Dave — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:53:20 +0000

National character is only another name for the particular form which the littleness, perversity, and baseness of mankind take in every country. If we become disgusted with one, we praise another, until we get disgusted with this too. Every nation mocks at other nations, and all are right.

[Dem Nationalcharakter wird, da er von der Menge redet, nie viel Gutes ehrlicherweise nachzurühmen sein. Vielmehr erscheint nur die menschliche Beschränktheit, Verkehrtheit und Schlechtigkeit in jedem Lande in einer andern Form und diese nennt man den Nationalcharakter. Von einem derselben degoutirt loben wir den andern, bis es uns mit ihm eben so ergangen ist. — Jede Nation spottet über die andere, und alle haben recht.]

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German philosopher
Parerga and Paralipomena, Vol. 1, “Aphorisms on the Wisdom of Life [Aphorismen zur Lebensweisheit],” ch. 4 “Position, or a Man’s Place in the Estimation of Others [Von dem, was einer vorstellt]” (1851) [tr. Saunders (1890), 4.2]
(Source)

(Source (German)). Other translation:

Since national character speaks of the crowd, not much good will ever be honestly said in its favour. On the contrary, we see in a different form in each country only human meanness, perversity, and depravity, and this is called national character. Having become disgusted with one of them, we praise another until we become just as disgusted with it. Every nation ridicules the rest and all are right.
[tr. Payne (1974), ch. 4 "What a Man Represents"]

Ivins, Molly -- Essay (2002-11-19), “Blast from the Past,” Creators Syndicate column

Dave — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:02:31 +0000

There is a batty degree of triumphalism loose in this country right now. We are brushing off world opinion as though it mattered not a whit what other people think of us.

Molly Ivins (1944–2007) American writer, political columnist [Mary Tyler Ivins]
Essay (2002-11-19), “Blast from the Past,” Creators Syndicate column
(Source)

Churchill, Winston -- Speech (1954-06-25), luncheon, White House, Washington, DC

Dave — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:40:57 +0000

To jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war.

Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British statesman and author
Speech (1954-06-25), luncheon, White House, Washington, DC
(Source)

On dealing with the Soviets.

Hoffer, Eric -- True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, Part 3, ch. 14, § 73 (1951)

Dave — Fri, 28 May 2010 21:16:32 +0000

The Americans are poor haters in international affairs because of their innate feeling of superiority over all foreigners. An American’s hatred for a fellow American (for Hoover or Roosevelt) is far more virulent than any antipathy he can work up against foreigners. […] Should Americans begin to hate foreigners wholeheartedly, it will be an indication that they have lost confidence in their own way of life.

Eric Hoffer (1902–1983) American writer, philosopher, longshoreman
True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, Part 3, ch. 14, § 73 (1951)
(Source)

Stevenson, Adlai -- Speech (1952-09-09), “World Policy,” Veterans Memorial Auditorium, San Francisco, California

Dave — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:04:11 +0000

Though progress may be slow, it may be steady and sure. A wise man does not try to hurry history. Many wars have been avoided by patience and many have been precipitated by reckless haste.

Adlai Stevenson II (1900–1965) American politician, diplomat, statesman
Speech (1952-09-09), “World Policy,” Veterans Memorial Auditorium, San Francisco, California
(Source)

Stevenson, Adlai -- Speech (1952-10-24), “The United Nations: Our Hope and Commitment,” United Nations Day Radio Broadcast, Springfield, Illinois

Dave — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:47:35 +0000

I profoundly believe that there is on this horizon, as yet only dimly perceived, a new dawn of conscience. In that purer light, people will come to see themselves in each other, which is to say they will make themselves known to one another by their similarities rather than by their differences. Man’s knowledge of things will begin to be matched by man’s knowledge of self. The significance of a smaller world will be measured not in terms of military advantage, but in terms of advantage for the human community. It will be the triumph of the heartbeat over the drumbeat.

Adlai Stevenson II (1900–1965) American politician, diplomat, statesman
Speech (1952-10-24), “The United Nations: Our Hope and Commitment,” United Nations Day Radio Broadcast, Springfield, Illinois
(Source)

Havel, Vaclav -- “An Anatomy of Reticence [Anatomie jedné zdrženlivosti],” sec. 9, no. 5 (1985-04) [tr. Kohák (1986)]

Dave — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:55:01 +0000

A state that denies its citizens their basic rights becomes a danger to its neighbors as well: internal arbitrary rule will be reflected in arbitrary external relations. The suppression of public opinion, the abolition of public competition for power and its public exercise opens the way for the state power to arm itself in any way it sees fit. A manipulated population can be misused in serving any military adventure whatever. Unreliability in some areas arouses justifiable fear of unreliability in everything. A state that does not hesitate to lie to its own people will not hesitate to lie to other states.

Václav Havel (1936–2011) Czech playwright, essayist, dissident, politician
“An Anatomy of Reticence [Anatomie jedné zdrženlivosti],” sec. 9, no. 5 (1985-04) [tr. Kohák (1986)]
(Source)

First reprinted in Cross Currents: A Yearbook of Central European Culture #5 (1986). Reprinted here in Living in Truth: twenty-two essays published on the occasion of the award of the Erasmus Prize to Václav Havel, Part 1, ch. 6 (1986).

Roosevelt, Theodore -- Autobiography, ch. 7 “The War of America the Unready” (1913)

Dave — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:25:42 +0000

I abhor unjust war. I abhor injustice and bullying by the strong at the expense of the weak, whether among nations or individuals. I abhor violence and bloodshed. I believe that war should never be resorted to when, or so long as, it is honorably possible to avoid it. I respect all men and women who from high motives and with sanity and self-respect do all they can to avert war. I advocate preparation for war in order to avert war; and I should never advocate war unless it were the only alternative to dishonor.

Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American politician, statesman, conservationist, writer, US President (1901–1909)
Autobiography, ch. 7 “The War of America the Unready” (1913)
(Source)

Johnson, Lyndon -- Speech (1963-12-17), United Nations General Assembly

Dave — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:06:51 +0000

The greatest of human problems, and the greatest of our common tasks, is to keep the peace and to save the future. All that we have built in the wealth of nations, and all that we plan to do toward a better life for all, will be in vain if our feet should slip, or our vision falter, and our hopes ended in another worldwide war. If there is one commitment more than any other that I would like to leave with you today, it is my unswerving commitment to the keeping and to the strengthening of the peace. Peace is a journey of a thousand miles and it must be taken one step at a time.

Lyndon B. Johnson (1908–1973) American politician, educator, US President (1963–69)
Speech (1963-12-17), United Nations General Assembly
(Source)

John Kennedy had used the same "journey" phrase from Lao-tzu early that year, before his assassination.

Carter, Jimmy -- Speech (1976-10-14), “Warm Hearts and Cool Heads,” Liberal Party of New York Dinner, New York City

Dave — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:31:38 +0000

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.]
Speech (1976-10-14), “Warm Hearts and Cool Heads,” Liberal Party of New York Dinner, New York City
(Source)

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

Kennedy, John F. -- Inaugural Address (20 Jan 1961)

Dave — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:52:51 +0000

So let us begin anew — remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.

John F. Kennedy (1917–1963) American politician, author, journalist, US President (1961–63)
Inaugural Address (20 Jan 1961)
(Source)

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano -- Speech (1939-09-03), “Fireside Chat” (radio broadcast)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

When peace has been broken anywhere, the peace of countries everywhere is in danger.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) American lawyer, politician, statesman, US President (1933–1945)
Speech (1939-09-03), “Fireside Chat” (radio broadcast)
(Source)