The Quotes canon

Sourced and curated.

Every quote has been curated by hand and carefully authenticated.
Browse all 10,075 quotes or apply filters in different categories to narrow your search.
Ich bin ein Berliner. — John F. Kennedy · 1963Speak softly and carry a big stick. — Theodore Roosevelt · 1900I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. — Winston Churchill · 1939What we may be witnessing is not just the end of the Cold War but the end of history as such: that is, the end point of man's ideological evolution and the universalism of Western liberal democracy. — Francis Fukuyama · 1989The world must be made safe for democracy. — Woodrow Wilson · 1917The attitude above all others which I feel sure is no longer valid is the arrogance of power, the tendency of great nations to equate power with virtue and major responsibilities with a universal mission. — J. William Fulbright · 1966All 43 quotes →
Ich bin ein Berliner. — John F. Kennedy · 1963Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances, with any portion of the foreign world. — George Washington · 1796The Nation, which indulges towards another an habitual hatred or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest. — George Washington · 1796In the field of world policy I would dedicate this Nation to the policy of the good neighbor—the neighbor who resolutely respects himself and, because he does so, respects the rights of others. — Franklin D. Roosevelt · 1933No nation is fit to sit in judgment upon any other nation. — Woodrow Wilson · 1915A country that demands moral perfection in its foreign policy will achieve neither perfection nor security. — Henry Kissinger · 1994All 11 quotes →
Politics8 quotes
I asked Tom if countries always apologized when they had done wrong, and he says: "Yes, the little ones does." — Mark Twain · 1894The collapse of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century. — Vladimir Putin · 2005Gratitude, like love, is never a dependable international emotion. — Joseph Alsop · 1952You have broader considerations that might follow what you would call the "falling domino" principle. You have a row of dominoes set up, you knock over the first one, and what will happen to the last one is the certainty that it will go over very quickly. So you could have a beginning of a disintegration that would have the most profound influences. — Dwight D. Eisenhower · 1954Negotiations are a euphemism for capitulation if the shadow of power is not cast across the bargaining table. — George Shultz · 1986Excessive dealings with tyrants are not good for the security of free states. — Demosthenes · 343 BCAll 8 quotes →
Observe good faith and justice toward all Nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all... The Nation, which indulges towards another an habitual hatred or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest. — George Washington · 1796The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign Nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little Political connection as possible. — George Washington · 1796In the field of world policy I would dedicate this Nation to the policy of the good neighbor—the neighbor who resolutely respects himself and, because he does so, respects the rights of others. — Franklin D. Roosevelt · 1933We have before us the opportunity to forge for ourselves and for future generations a new world order-a world where the rule of law, not the law of the jungle, governs the conduct of nations. — George H.W. Bush · 1991We 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 to be citizens of the world, members of the human community. — Franklin D. Roosevelt · 1945Almost a year ago, in company with 16 free nations of Europe, we launched the greatest cooperative economic program in history. The purpose of that unprecedented effort is to invigorate and strengthen democracy in Europe, so that the free people of that continent can resume their rightful place in the forefront of civilization and can contribute once more to the security and welfare of the world. — Harry Truman · 1949
Cold War6 quotes
Ich bin ein Berliner. — John F. Kennedy · 1963What we may be witnessing is not just the end of the Cold War but the end of history as such: that is, the end point of man's ideological evolution and the universalism of Western liberal democracy. — Francis Fukuyama · 1989You have broader considerations that might follow what you would call the "falling domino" principle. You have a row of dominoes set up, you knock over the first one, and what will happen to the last one is the certainty that it will go over very quickly. So you could have a beginning of a disintegration that would have the most profound influences. — Dwight D. Eisenhower · 1954We have before us the opportunity to forge for ourselves and for future generations a new world order-a world where the rule of law, not the law of the jungle, governs the conduct of nations. — George H.W. Bush · 1991Freedom is pitted against slavery; lightness against the dark. — Dwight D. Eisenhower · 1953Tolerance is the alpha and omega of a new world order. — Mikhail Gorbachev · 1990
Gratitude, like love, is never a dependable international emotion. — Joseph Alsop · 1952Negotiations are a euphemism for capitulation if the shadow of power is not cast across the bargaining table. — George Shultz · 1986We have no eternal allies and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and these interests it is our duty to follow. — Henry John Temple · 1848Excessive dealings with tyrants are not good for the security of free states. — Demosthenes · 343 BCNo nation can longer be a fortress, lone and strong and safe. And any people, seeking such shelter for themselves, can now build only their own prison. — Dwight D. Eisenhower · 1957
Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances, with any portion of the foreign world. — George Washington · 1796This will not stand. This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait. — George H.W. Bush · 1990What is at stake is more than one small country; it is a big idea: a new world order, where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to achieve the universal aspirations of mankind-peace and security, freedom and the rule of law. — George H.W. Bush · 1991
Diplomacy3 quotes
Speak softly and carry a big stick. — Theodore Roosevelt · 1900An ambassador is an honest man sent to lie abroad for the good of his country. — Henry Wotton · 1604Diplomacy is to do and say The nastiest thing in the nicest way. — Isaac Goldberg · 1927
A country that demands moral perfection in its foreign policy will achieve neither perfection nor security. — Henry Kissinger · 1994The great nations have always acted like gangsters, and the small nations like prostitutes. — Stanley Kubrick · 1963Our foreign policy must have an ethical dimension and must support the demands of other people for the democratic rights on which we insist for ourselves. — Robin Cook · 1997
Realpolitik3 quotes
I asked Tom if countries always apologized when they had done wrong, and he says: "Yes, the little ones does." — Mark Twain · 1894We have no eternal allies and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and these interests it is our duty to follow. — Henry John Temple · 1848Little do they know that they meet under an empty sky from which the gods have departed. — Hans Morgenthau · 1948
The world must be made safe for democracy. — Woodrow Wilson · 1917We 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 to be citizens of the world, members of the human community. — Franklin D. Roosevelt · 1945
Ich bin ein Berliner. — John F. Kennedy · 1963The social progress, order, security and peace of each country are necessarily connected with the social progress, order, security and peace of all other countries. — Pope John XXIII · 1963
Isolationism2 quotes
Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances, with any portion of the foreign world. — George Washington · 1796No nation can longer be a fortress, lone and strong and safe. And any people, seeking such shelter for themselves, can now build only their own prison. — Dwight D. Eisenhower · 1957
What is at stake is more than one small country; it is a big idea: a new world order, where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to achieve the universal aspirations of mankind-peace and security, freedom and the rule of law. — George H.W. Bush · 1991Tolerance is the alpha and omega of a new world order. — Mikhail Gorbachev · 1990
This will not stand. This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait. — George H.W. Bush · 1990What is at stake is more than one small country; it is a big idea: a new world order, where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to achieve the universal aspirations of mankind-peace and security, freedom and the rule of law. — George H.W. Bush · 1991
Observe good faith and justice toward all Nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all... The Nation, which indulges towards another an habitual hatred or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest. — George Washington · 1796The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign Nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little Political connection as possible. — George Washington · 1796
Russia2 quotes
I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. — Winston Churchill · 1939The collapse of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century. — Vladimir Putin · 2005
The first half of this century has been marked by unprecedented and brutal attacks on the rights of man, and by the two most frightful wars in history. The supreme need of our time is for men to learn to live together in peace and harmony. — Harry Truman · 1949
The first half of this century has been marked by unprecedented and brutal attacks on the rights of man, and by the two most frightful wars in history. The supreme need of our time is for men to learn to live together in peace and harmony. — Harry Truman · 1949
Bluster1 quote
The hard part about playing chicken is knowing when to flinch. — Capt. Bart Mancuso · 1990
Speak softly and carry a big stick. — Theodore Roosevelt · 1900
Freedom is pitted against slavery; lightness against the dark. — Dwight D. Eisenhower · 1953
His Majesty's Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavors to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done whech may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country. — Arthur James Balfour · 1917
Little do they know that they meet under an empty sky from which the gods have departed. — Hans Morgenthau · 1948
Democracy1 quote
What we may be witnessing is not just the end of the Cold War but the end of history as such: that is, the end point of man's ideological evolution and the universalism of Western liberal democracy. — Francis Fukuyama · 1989
Little do they know that they meet under an empty sky from which the gods have departed. — Hans Morgenthau · 1948
You have broader considerations that might follow what you would call the "falling domino" principle. You have a row of dominoes set up, you knock over the first one, and what will happen to the last one is the certainty that it will go over very quickly. So you could have a beginning of a disintegration that would have the most profound influences. — Dwight D. Eisenhower · 1954
What we may be witnessing is not just the end of the Cold War but the end of history as such: that is, the end point of man's ideological evolution and the universalism of Western liberal democracy. — Francis Fukuyama · 1989
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 to be citizens of the world, members of the human community. — Franklin D. Roosevelt · 1945
Israel1 quote
His Majesty's Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavors to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done whech may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country. — Arthur James Balfour · 1917