“Silence is a source of great strength.”

Address to the European Parliament (2015)
Context: There are those living in Europe today who remember the ravages that struck the continent in the late 1930s and the World War that followed because of an aggressive, expansionist ideology based on hate and disregard for the very essence of humanity. Europe’s war became the World’s War. Today, we are fighting a similar war. A war against an expansionist ideology that feeds on hate; that is committing murder in the name of God and religion to justify evil actions that no religion tolerates — a war against terrorists who disrespect Islam’s values and humanity’s values.
Our victory now depends on our unity. Europe’s role is vital. Only by cooperation can our regions shut down the sources of terrorist support and defeat their purposes.
It is also essential that our regions renew the source of our great strength: the mutual respect that binds and sustains us. Young people, especially, must be inspired by values that reject violence, create peace and build inclusive society.

We cannot realize financial reconstruction and enhance social security without a strong economy. We must correct what we find objectively wrong. What I always keep in mind is that we'll take action on things that need to be done, promptly and without hesitation

"I Want to Live in a City Where..." (2006)

Source: A Dictionary of Thoughts, 1891, p. 567.

Quotes, NYU Speech (2004)
Context: Make no mistake, it is precisely our moral authority that is our greatest source of strength, and it is precisely our moral authority that has been recklessly put at risk by the cheap calculations and mean compromises of conscience wagered with history by this willful president.

Ibn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p. 414.
Regarding Knowledge & Wisdom, General

Source: The Book Thief