Quotes by Statesman | Beyond Motive 43/75

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Quotes by Statesman

"I mistrust the judgment of every man in a case in which his own wishes are concerned."

"I mistrust the judgment of every man in a case in which his own wishes are concerned."

Daniel Webster, American Statesman

Judgment, Man, Mistrust, Wishes

35

"We, therefore, here in Britain stand shoulder to shoulder with our American friends in this hour of tragedy, and we, like them, will not rest until this evil is driven from our world."

"We, therefore, here in Britain stand shoulder to shoulder with our American friends in this hour of tragedy, and we, like them, will not rest until this evil is driven from our world."

Tony Blair, English Statesman

Friendship, American, Evil, Friends, Rest

35

"True genius resides in the capacity for evaluation of uncertain, hazardous, and conflicting information."

"True genius resides in the capacity for evaluation of uncertain, hazardous, and conflicting information."

Winston Churchill, English Statesman

Wisdom, Genius, Information

35

"The market came with the dawn of civilization and it is not an invention of capitalism. If it leads to improving the well-being of the people there is no contradiction with socialism."

"The market came with the dawn of civilization and it is not an invention of capitalism. If it leads to improving the well-being of the people there is no contradiction with socialism."

Mikhail Gorbachev, Russian Statesman

People, Civilization, Capitalism, Contradiction

35

"We all have an equal interest in stability and security throughout Europe. The years the OSCE has existed, and particularly this year, have given rise to great expectations and at the same time to powerful disappointments."

"We all have an equal interest in stability and security throughout Europe. The years the OSCE has existed, and particularly this year, have given rise to great expectations and at the same time to powerful disappointments."

Boris Yeltsin, Russian Statesman

Time, Disappointments, Europe, Expectations

35

"You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry; for whatever a man's actions are, such must be his spirit."

"You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry; for whatever a man's actions are, such must be his spirit."

Demosthenes, Greek Statesman

Action, Actions, Man, Spirit

35

"The most difficult thing in any negotiation, almost, is making sure that you strip it of the emotion and deal with the facts. And there was a considerable challenge to that here and understandably so."

"The most difficult thing in any negotiation, almost, is making sure that you strip it of the emotion and deal with the facts. And there was a considerable challenge to that here and understandably so."

Howard Baker, American Statesman

Challenge, Emotion, Facts, Negotiation

35

"The American temptation is to believe that foreign policy is a subdivision of psychiatry."

"The American temptation is to believe that foreign policy is a subdivision of psychiatry."

Henry A. Kissinger, American Statesman

Policy, Foreignpolicy, Psychiatry

35

"I think the Iraqi people have shown extraordinary patience and courage in the last few months. They have really put a political system on the way to success, to a real democracy here."

"I think the Iraqi people have shown extraordinary patience and courage in the last few months. They have really put a political system on the way to success, to a real democracy here."

Paul Bremer, American Statesman

Success, People, Courage, Democracy

35

"While democracy in the long run is the most stable form of government, in the short run, it is among the most fragile."

"While democracy in the long run is the most stable form of government, in the short run, it is among the most fragile."

Madeleine Albright, American Statesman

Government, Democracy

35

"In a fight you don't stop to choose your cudgels."

"In a fight you don't stop to choose your cudgels."

Nikita Khrushchev, Russian Statesman

35

"Every society, all government, and every kind of civil compact therefore, is or ought to be, calculated for the general good and safety of the community."

"Every society, all government, and every kind of civil compact therefore, is or ought to be, calculated for the general good and safety of the community."

George Mason, American Statesman

Government, Society, Community, Safety

35

"As a consequence of the victories we have registered during our first ten years of freedom, we have laid a firm foundation for the new advances we must and will make during the next decade."

"As a consequence of the victories we have registered during our first ten years of freedom, we have laid a firm foundation for the new advances we must and will make during the next decade."

Thabo Mbeki, South African Statesman

Politics, First, Freedom, Will, Years

35

"Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard."

"Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard."

Colin Powell, American Statesman

Work, People, Play

35

"A hundred years ago, of course, the question that the German Composers' Co-operative asked itself sounded a lot more fundamental: How do you create a fair share for those who ensure that works can actually be performed at all?"

"A hundred years ago, of course, the question that the German Composers' Co-operative asked itself sounded a lot more fundamental: How do you create a fair share for those who ensure that works can actually be performed at all?"

Johannes Rau, German Statesman

Music, Composers, Question, Years

35

"The proposition of an established classification of states as slave states and free states, as insisted on by some, and into northern and southern, as maintained by others, seems to me purely imaginary, and of course the supposed equilibrium of those classes a mere conceit."

"The proposition of an established classification of states as slave states and free states, as insisted on by some, and into northern and southern, as maintained by others, seems to me purely imaginary, and of course the supposed equilibrium of those classes a mere conceit."

William H. Seward, American Statesman

Politics, Conceit, States

35

"The heart of the People, North and South, is for the Union."

"The heart of the People, North and South, is for the Union."

Edward Everett, American Statesman

35

"In quoting of books, quote such authors as are usually read; others you may read for your own satisfaction, but not name them."

"In quoting of books, quote such authors as are usually read; others you may read for your own satisfaction, but not name them."

John Selden, English Statesman

Books, May, Name, Satisfaction

35

"History is the sum total of things that could have been avoided."

"History is the sum total of things that could have been avoided."

Konrad Adenauer, German Statesman

35

"If Iran does not change its policies, it won't be able to integrate into the international community and will become even more isolated than it is now, which likely will have a negative impact on the Iranian people."

"If Iran does not change its policies, it won't be able to integrate into the international community and will become even more isolated than it is now, which likely will have a negative impact on the Iranian people."

Moshe Katsav, Israeli Statesman

Change, People, Negative, Community

35

"I want to make an extremely strong appeal to those who abstained. Vote. It takes five minutes and then it's for five years."

"I want to make an extremely strong appeal to those who abstained. Vote. It takes five minutes and then it's for five years."

Laurent Fabius, French Statesman

Vote, Want, Years

35

"I believe that the will of the people is resolved by a strong leadership. Even in a democratic society, events depend on a strong leadership with a strong power of persuasion, and not on the opinion of the masses."

"I believe that the will of the people is resolved by a strong leadership. Even in a democratic society, events depend on a strong leadership with a strong power of persuasion, and not on the opinion of the masses."

Yitzhak Shamir, Israeli Statesman

Leadership, Power, Society, People

35

"Why, so soon as French Canadians, who are in a minority in this House and in the country, were to organise as a political party, they would compel the majority to organise as a political party, and the result must be disastrous to themselves."

"Why, so soon as French Canadians, who are in a minority in this House and in the country, were to organise as a political party, they would compel the majority to organise as a political party, and the result must be disastrous to themselves."

Wilfrid Laurier, Canadian Statesman

Nation, Country, Majority, Minority, Party

35

"The people in East Germany have lived through so many changes in the last 15 years like never before in the country, and they did this often with great enthusiasm. But in the West we also have a high degree of transformations."

"The people in East Germany have lived through so many changes in the last 15 years like never before in the country, and they did this often with great enthusiasm. But in the West we also have a high degree of transformations."

Angela Merkel, German Statesman

People, Enthusiasm, Country, Germany

35

"It is the sign of a great mind to dislike greatness, and to prefer things in measure to things in excess."

"It is the sign of a great mind to dislike greatness, and to prefer things in measure to things in excess."

Seneca, Roman Philosopher

Moderation, Greatness, Excess, Measure, Mind

35

"Honest error is to be pitied, not ridiculed."

"Honest error is to be pitied, not ridiculed."

Lord Chesterfield, British Statesman

35

"Those who are of the opinion that money will do everything may reasonably be expected to do everything for money."

"Those who are of the opinion that money will do everything may reasonably be expected to do everything for money."

Edward F. Halifax, British Statesman

Money, May, Opinion, Will

35

"You must look into people as well as at them."

"You must look into people as well as at them."

Lord Chesterfield, British Statesman

35

"The concept of two people living together for 25 years without a serious dispute suggests a lack of spirit only to be admired in sheep."

"The concept of two people living together for 25 years without a serious dispute suggests a lack of spirit only to be admired in sheep."

A. P. Herbert, English Statesman

People, Living, Sheep, Spirit

35

"Distrust all those who love you extremely upon a very slight acquaintance and without any visible reason."

"Distrust all those who love you extremely upon a very slight acquaintance and without any visible reason."

Lord Chesterfield, British Statesman

Love, Acquaintance, Distrust, Reason

35

"A politician is a person with whose politics you don't agree; if you agree with him he's a statesman."

"A politician is a person with whose politics you don't agree; if you agree with him he's a statesman."

David Lloyd George, Welsh Statesman

35

"The United States are a political state, or organized society, whose end is government, for the security, welfare, and happiness of all who live under its protection."

"The United States are a political state, or organized society, whose end is government, for the security, welfare, and happiness of all who live under its protection."

William H. Seward, American Statesman

Happiness, Government, Society, End

35

"For too many, to work means having less income."

"For too many, to work means having less income."

Kim Campbell, Canadian Statesman

35

"Everybody should have an equal chance - but they shouldn't have a flying start."

"Everybody should have an equal chance - but they shouldn't have a flying start."

Harold Wilson, English Statesman

35

"The path towards a free society has not been simple. There are tragic and glorious pages in our history."

"The path towards a free society has not been simple. There are tragic and glorious pages in our history."

Vladimir Putin, Russian Statesman

History, Society

35

"You can't be chasing 15 rabbits. Otherwise, the public mind cannot follow you."

"You can't be chasing 15 rabbits. Otherwise, the public mind cannot follow you."

Brian Mulroney, Canadian Statesman

35

"Learning is acquired by reading books, but the much more necessary learning, the knowledge of the world, is only to be acquired by reading men, and studying all the various facets of them."

"Learning is acquired by reading books, but the much more necessary learning, the knowledge of the world, is only to be acquired by reading men, and studying all the various facets of them."

Lord Chesterfield, British Statesman

Reading, Men, Knowledge, Books, Learning

35

"Whatever else may divide us, Europe is our common home; a common fate has linked us through the centuries, and it continues to link us today."

"Whatever else may divide us, Europe is our common home; a common fate has linked us through the centuries, and it continues to link us today."

Leonid I. Brezhnev, Russian Statesman

Home, Europe, Fate, May

35

"The government's position was that we have frigates that have got a useful life until 2006. There is no necessity for us to make final decisions until 2002."

"The government's position was that we have frigates that have got a useful life until 2006. There is no necessity for us to make final decisions until 2002."

Jenny Shipley, New Zealander Statesman

Life, Government, Decisions, Necessity

35

"To convince oneself that one has the right to live decently takes time."

"To convince oneself that one has the right to live decently takes time."

Evita Peron, Argentinian Statesman

35

"Germany is very free-trade oriented."

"Germany is very free-trade oriented."

Gerhard Schroder, German Statesman

Politics, Germany

35

"In a progressive country change is constant; change is inevitable."

"In a progressive country change is constant; change is inevitable."

Benjamin Disraeli, British Statesman

Life, Change, Country

35

"If your only objective is to be popular, you're going to be popular but you will be known as the Prime Minister who achieved nothing."

"If your only objective is to be popular, you're going to be popular but you will be known as the Prime Minister who achieved nothing."

Brian Mulroney, Canadian Statesman

Nothing, Popular, Will

35

"Success is not greedy, as people think, but insignificant. That is why it satisfies nobody."

"Success is not greedy, as people think, but insignificant. That is why it satisfies nobody."

Seneca, Roman Philosopher

Success, People, Statesman

35

"I am not here to parade my religious sentiments, but I declare I have too much respect for the faith in which I was born to ever use it as the basis of a political organization."

"I am not here to parade my religious sentiments, but I declare I have too much respect for the faith in which I was born to ever use it as the basis of a political organization."

Wilfrid Laurier, Canadian Statesman

Faith, Religious, Respect

35

"At the outset, I want to say that the suggestion that the struggle in South Africa is under the influence of foreigners or communists is wholly incorrect. I have done whatever I did because of my experience in South Africa and my own proudly felt African background, and not because of what any outsider might have said."

"At the outset, I want to say that the suggestion that the struggle in South Africa is under the influence of foreigners or communists is wholly incorrect. I have done whatever I did because of my experience in South Africa and my own proudly felt African background, and not because of what any outsider might have said."

Nelson Mandela, South African Statesman

Identity, Truth, Resistance, Heritage

35

"Personally, I think that for example the chemical directive in its present form does too much damage to the chemical industry - especially the medium sized businesses - and will hurt our worldwide competitiveness."

"Personally, I think that for example the chemical directive in its present form does too much damage to the chemical industry - especially the medium sized businesses - and will hurt our worldwide competitiveness."

Angela Merkel, German Statesman

Business, Example, Hurt, Present, Will

35

""No comment" is a splendid expression. I am using it again and again."

""No comment" is a splendid expression. I am using it again and again."

Winston Churchill, English Statesman

Attitude, Expression

35

"War should be the politics of last resort. And when we go to war, we should have a purpose that our people understand and support."

"War should be the politics of last resort. And when we go to war, we should have a purpose that our people understand and support."

Colin Powell, American Statesman

Politics, War, People, Purpose

35

"Where it is a duty to worship the sun it is pretty sure to be a crime to examine the laws of heat."

"Where it is a duty to worship the sun it is pretty sure to be a crime to examine the laws of heat."

John Morley, British Statesman

Crime, Duty, Laws, Pretty

35

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