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A potential hegemon, as emphasized throughout this book, must be wealthier than any of its regional rivals and must possess the most powerful army in the area.

— John Mearsheimer The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (2001)

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More quotes by John Mearsheimer

The most dangerous states in the international system are continental powers with large armies.

The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (2001)

In the anarchic world of international politics, it is better to be Godzilla than Bambi.

In an ideal world, where there are only good states, power would be largely irrelevant.

The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (2001)

Simply put, the most powerful state is the one that prevails in a dispute.

The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (2001)

The ideal situation for any state is to experience sharp economic growth while its rivals' economies grow slowly or hardly at all.

The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (2001)

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Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man.

Francis Bacon Meditationes sacræ (1597)

It is not in the books of the Philosophers, but in the religious symbolism of the Ancients, that we must look for the footprints of Science, and re-discover the Mysteries of Knowledge.

Albert Pike Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (1871)

There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches.

Ray Bradbury Fahrenheit 451 (1953)

People say that life is the thing, but I prefer reading.

Logan Pearsall Smith Afterthoughts (1931)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: John Mearsheimer (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.