
From his opening address at United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen December 7, 2009.
2000s, 2009
Nobel lecture (1989)
Context: Today, we are truly a global family. What happens in one part of the world may affect us all. This, of course, is not only true of the negative things that happen, but is equally valid for the positive developments. We not only know what happens elsewhere, thanks to the extraordinary modern communications technology. We are also directly affected by events that occur far away.
From his opening address at United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen December 7, 2009.
2000s, 2009
Dans toutes les professions chacun affecte une mine et un extérieur pour paraître ce qu'il veut qu'on le croie. Ainsi on peut dire que le monde n'est composé que de mines.
Variant translation: In all professions, each affects a part and an appearance to make him seem as he would wish to be believed. And so it is that one can say that the world is made only of appearances.
Maxim 256.
Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665–1678)
“What happens to one man may happen to all.”
Maxim 171
Sentences, The Moral Sayings of Publius Syrus, a Roman Slave
Nobel lecture (2005)
Context: There are three main features to this changing landscape: the emergence of an extensive black market in nuclear material and equipment; the proliferation of nuclear weapons and sensitive nuclear technology; and the stagnation in nuclear disarmament.
Today, with globalization bringing us ever closer together, if we choose to ignore the insecurities of some, they will soon become the insecurities of all.
Source: Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), P. 405.
Development, Geography, and Economic Theory (1995), Ch. 3. Models and Metaphors