13 quotes
The destructive nature of nuclear war dictates that we no longer regard war as merely the continuation of policy by other means.
When given half a chance, the combination of courage and an open mind can do wonders.
Freedom is not absolute either for individuals or for nations and much is determined by forces beyond their control, by events of the past, by accident, or by chance.
Over time the margin of freedom — the impact of will upon the possible — expands geometrically. The decision of today makes possible, or forecloses, ten decisions of tomorrow.
In our view, all-out war promises the least success in achieving the objectives we have outlined.
War Whether We Need It Or Not? (1991)
I know that the simplest and most direct answer to the problem of nuclear weapons has always been their complete elimination.
A Threat Mostly to Ourselves (1999)
The problems and opportunities facing the present and coming generations are no less, perhaps greater, than those we faced. I hope that some of our experiences may provide insights useful to them.
It is the presence of nuclear weapons that threatens our existence.
A Threat Mostly to Ourselves (1999)
Early in life, as a witness to the limitless tragedy of World War I, I felt grow in me a determination to act, to work with others to influence the course of history and not supinely to accept what, in the absence of will and action, might be the world's fate.
Our main goal should be to establish a precedent for a new post-Cold War era, in which the community of nations, working through the United Nations and other organizations, can insure that would-be aggressors do not profit from invasion, coercion and force.
War Whether We Need It Or Not? (1991)
One of the most dangerous forms of human error is forgetting what one is trying to achieve. In the gulf crisis, it is crucial that we look beyond our anger at Saddam and remind ourselves of precisely what U.S. interests are in the crisis and what we seek to accomplish.
War Whether We Need It Or Not? (1991)
Many of our current collaborators, who are ambivalent at best about the war option, might also lose interest in future cooperation with us. A world of growing brutality and chaos would become a likely prospect.
War Whether We Need It Or Not? (1991)
Some people say there are two policies in the executive branch … one is mine and the other is the president's, which is marginally so. Some of the things I've said are different from what the president has said, but all the things I have said have been approved by the president.