Quotes about homeland
page 88

“The best way to create opportunities is to send, from time to time, expeditions to countries with which there is a chance to establish commercial relations.”

Henri Alexis Brialmont (1821–1903) Belgian military engineer and writer (1821-1903)

Source: All the King's Men' A search for the colonial ideas of some advisers and "accomplices" of Leopold II (1853-1892). (Hannes Vanhauwaert), 5. A prospectus by the military Chazal and Brialmont, The military centipede Henri-Alexis Brialmont (1821-1893) http://www.ethesis.net/leopold_II/leopold_II.htm#2.%20 Brialmont and Leopold II speculate on controlling multiple trading posts, which would be more beneficial than a Colony under economic liberalism. BRIALMONT, H.A. Completion of the work of 1830: establishments to be created in the transatlantic countries: future of Belgian commerce and industry. Brussel, 1860, 65-66.

Chance, Time, Way

“Should it not, this essentially producing country, search all parts of the globe and seek to fight with other nations, by exploring in advance the countries likely to favor industries, by studying local needs and resources, by indicating the nature and time of the shipments to be made, etc.?”

Henri Alexis Brialmont (1821–1903) Belgian military engineer and writer (1821-1903)

Source: All the King's Men' A search for the colonial ideas of some advisers and "accomplices" of Leopold II (1853-1892). (Hannes Vanhauwaert), 5. A prospectus by the military Chazal and Brialmont, The military centipede Henri-Alexis Brialmont (1821-1893) http://www.ethesis.net/leopold_II/leopold_II.htm#2.%20 Brialmont in 1853 On The need for a stronger merchant fleet, protected by a naval force, he was amazed that it still did not exist in Belgium, despite the unbridled economic boom that Belgium had entered in, and that had one of the largest ports in Europe. CROKAERT, P. BRIALMONT, A. Brialmont, Eloge et mémoires, 399.

Study, Search, Time, Nature

“Even though 2021 was a challenging year, the country demonstrated its adaptive and innovative spirit.”

David Mabuza (1960) South African head teacher

Source: David Mabuza (2021) cited in " Deputy President David Mabuza commends SA for innovative spirit, despite a challenging 2021 https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/deputy-president-david-mabuza-commends-sa-for-innovative-spirit-despite-a-challenging-2021-20211224" on news24, 24 December 2021.

“There are reforms that we must pursue with our French partners. I am also thinking of the European Union ..., the international community and obviously our strategic partner France, and other partners will allow us to revive the (country's) economy.”

Henri-Marie Dondra (1966) prime Minister of the Central African Republic

Source: Henri-Marie Dondra (2021) cited in " Central African Republic's new PM makes new economic calls to France https://www.africanews.com/2021/06/16/central-african-republic-s-new-pm-makes-new-economic-calls-to-france/" on Africa News, 16 June 2021.

Communication, Thinking

“I'm in politics because I want to be the prime minister some day. At 41, I'm old enough to run the country, though young enough to wait.”

Subramanian Swamy (1939) Indian politician

1981

Waiting

“The permanent secretary is a fundamental tool in the country's public administration system, as he bears the mission to coordinate and manage, at technical and operational levels, the financial and administrative processes, human resources and assets of the ministry.”

Carlos Agostinho do Rosário (1954) Prime Minister of Mozambique (2015-present)

Source: Carlos Agostinho do Rosário (2021) cited in: " Mozambique: PM Swears Into Office New Permanent Secretaries https://allafrica.com/stories/202105050741.html" in All Africa, 5 May 2021.

“Top-3 national priorities right now, where the entire country should be focused:
Vaccine.
Vaccine.
Vaccine.”

Chetan Bhagat (1974) Indian author, born 1974

Source: — Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) 2021 at Twitter https://twitter.com/chetan_bhagat/status/1383688549061468166

“Keep asking on the vaccine plan. How much vaccine? By what date? What %age of pop vaccinated by May 31, June 30,July 31? Real numbers. Abuse me, troll me, demean my work, doubt my intentions, mock me. But keep asking on the vaccine plan. For the sake of my country. 🙏🏻”

Chetan Bhagat (1974) Indian author, born 1974

Source: — Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) 2021 at Twitter https://twitter.com/chetan_bhagat/status/1390166518223233025

Age

“I have a fascination with getting my entire country vaccinated. For that we need all the vaccines we can get and we will need them all. Nothing to do with nation of origin.”

Chetan Bhagat (1974) Indian author, born 1974

Source: — Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) 2021 at Twitter https://twitter.com/chetan_bhagat/status/1417001960377503746

“The Pfizer vaccine, one of the best ones, used in most developed countries, applied for permission in India in Dec-2020. India instead asked them to do more studies here. Pfizer withdrew its application in Feb-21. Imagine lives saved if we allowed the vaccine from December itself”

Chetan Bhagat (1974) Indian author, born 1974

Source: — Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) 2021 at Twitter https://twitter.com/chetan_bhagat/status/1387322830266814467

Imagination, Study

“If you have a country with no rule of law, your business (invested in that country) is always like in the casino.”

Matas Maldeikis (1980) Lithuanian statesman

Source: Matas Maldeikis (2021) cited in: " Despite Beijing's ire, Baltic lawmakers bet on Taiwan https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202112050009" in Focus Taiwan, 5 December 2021.

Law, Business

“We welcome any country that wants a relationship with Somaliland, including China. But we won't kick out Taiwan because of China.”

Liban Yusuf Osman Politician

Source: Liban Yusuf Osman (2021) cited in " Somaliland and Taiwan: Two territories with few friends but each other https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56719409" on BBC News, 13 April 2021.

“The country is very diverse, geographically, ethnically, so the reality that the bishops have on the coast, in the mountains, or in the jungle is very different.”

Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne (1943) Catholic cardinal

Source: Pope Francis will see a lively faith in Peru and Chile, Lima's cardinal says https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/37324/pope-francis-will-see-a-lively-faith-in-peru-and-chile-limas-cardinal-says (5 December 2017)

Mountain, Reality

“Most of the citizens of this country certainly wished that the next health minister would be a specialist, really good at what he does, and that his name would be Karl Lauterbach — and it will be.”

Olaf Scholz (1958) German politician, federal minister of finance and vice chancellor

Source: Olaf Scholz cited in: " Epidemiologist Karl Lauterbach to be German health minister https://www.politico.eu/article/epidemiologist-karl-lauterbach-germany-health-minister-olaf-scholz/" in Politico, 6 December 2021.

Health

“May love fill every heart and inspire us all to achieve our goals and scale the greatest heights. For the sake of our loved ones and for the sake of our only country, our great Motherland.”

Vladimir Putin (1952) President of Russia, former Prime Minister

Source: "New Year Address to the Nation" http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/67514 (31 December 2021)

Heart, Love

“The major weapon now being used by the combined Forces of Evil is chaos, disruption, lack of established security, and consequent fear... The entire rhythm of international thinking has to be altered, and that constitutes a slow and arduous task; the evil personalities which, in every country, are responsible for the chaos and uncertainty, have eventually to be replaced by those who can work in co-operation with the rhythm of the seventh Ray, and thus produce ordered beauty.”

Alice A. Bailey (1880–1949) esoteric, theosophist, writer

Source: The Externalization of the Hierarchy (1957) p. 668

Personality, Thinking, Fear, Evil

“[T]he risk of these sports, and the supposed manliness of facing that risk, is generally put forth as one of their merits. Now I may be very blind and mean-spirited, but the manly sport of foxhunting seems to me not to be manly at all, but to be at once cowardly and fool hardy. It is cowardly as regards the cruelty practised on a victim which cannot defend himself by tormentors who, as far as the victim is concerned, are perfectly safe. It is foolhardy as risking men's lives for no adequate cause. It is manly, it is something much better than manly, when a man sacrifices or risks his life in a good cause. But I can see nothing manly, nothing in any way praiseworthy, in a man risking his life in a bad cause or in no cause at all. When a fox-hunter is suddenly cut off in the midst of his cruelties, I can see nothing in his end at all resembling the end of the martyr who dies for his religion or of the hero who dies for his country. I believe I am unfashionable in thinking so, but I cannot help it.”

Edward Augustus Freeman (1823–1892) English historian (1823-1892)

Source: 'The Morality of Field Sports', The Fortnightly Review (October 1869), quoted in E. A. Freeman, The Morality of Field Sports (1874), p. 24

Thinking, Life, Men, Sport

“People need to feel they belong to their country. Their need for community is most pronounced in a time of adversity. The people who are hit hardest by a depression, who feel that their children will suffer, look for loyalty from the rest of the community and the government. The present immigration programme, in its indifference to the feelings of the old Australians, erodes those loyalties. The multicultural policy, and its emphasis on what is different and on the rights of the new minority rather than the old majority, gnaws at that sense of solidarity that many people crave for.”

Geoffrey Blainey book All for Australia

All for Australia (1984)

Communication, Loyalty, Indifference, Sense

“I believe that the religious have two main tasks. On the one hand, as Ezekiel says, to behave like sentinels, not spies: when there is a threat we must warn and try to solve the problem before it explodes, it is a very big responsibility and if there are so many problems it means that the sentinels did not carry out their job well. Then we must be intercessors and when there is hostility between two groups, families or people, we have to mediate in truth. It is also essential to always keep prayer alive for the Country and for the protagonists so that God converts the heart. Now, it can be said, that the heart of many is of stone, it is up to us to make it flesh. Religions here seek a common line to promote peace.”

Jean Zerbo (1943) Malian Roman Catholic cardinal

Source: Cardinal Zerbo: Catholic sentinels and mediators among violence and conflict http://www.fides.org/en/news/68204-AFRICA_MALI_Cardinal_Zerbo_Catholic_sentinels_and_mediators_among_violence_and_conflict (24 June 2020)

Problem, God, Hostility, People

“My government has no intention to acquire large loans from any country in the near future.”

Taneti Maamau (1960) Kiribati politician

Source: Taneti Maamau (2021) cited in " Kiribati's president's plans to raise islands in fight against sea-level rise https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/10/kiribatis-presidents-plans-to-raise-islands-in-fight-against-sea-level-rise" on The Guardian, 10 August 2021.

Future

“We must establish on broad and solid foundations a National Health Service. Here let me say that there is no finer investment for any community than putting milk into babies. Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.”

Winston S. Churchill book The Second World War

Broadcast (21 March 1943), quoted in The Times (22 March 1943), p. 6
The Second World War (1939–1945)

Baby, Communication, Health

“[…] there is no love,
That merits such high christening, but is built
Firm upon some foundation out of sight;
God, country, virtue, something not ourself,
To which ourself is nothing, save the proof
Of its invisible sureness.”

Alfred Austin (1835–1913) British writer and poet

Source: Candida to Valori in Act IV, sc. iv; p. 262, Savonarola (1881)

God, Love

“And now, gentlemen, what is the condition of the great body of the people? In the first place, gentlemen, they have for centuries been in the full enjoyment of that which no other country in Europe has ever completely attained—complete rights of personal freedom.”

Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881) British Conservative politician, writer, aristocrat and Prime Minister

Source: Speech to the Conservatives of Manchester (3 April 1872), quoted in Selected Speeches of the Late Right Honourable the Earl of Beaconsfield, Volume II, ed. T. E. Kebbel (1882), p. 507

Freedom, Personality, People

“Gentlemen, the programme of the Conservative party is to maintain the Constitution of the country.”

Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881) British Conservative politician, writer, aristocrat and Prime Minister

Source: Speech to the Conservatives of Manchester (3 April 1872), quoted in Selected Speeches of the Late Right Honourable the Earl of Beaconsfield, Volume II, ed. T. E. Kebbel (1882), p. 491

“We are partners in this country, and partners in the development process of the state. Christmas is observed as a national holiday.”

Bisher Al-Khasawneh (1969) Prime Minister of Jordan

Source: Bisher Al-Khasawneh (2021) cited in: " PM greets Christians on Christmas https://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/pm-greets-christians-christmas" in The Jordan Times, 26 December 2021.

Holiday, Christmas

“I ran twice and we won twice.This crowd is a massive symbol of what took place, because people are hungry for the truth. They want their country back.”

Donald J. Trump (1946) 45th President of the United States of America

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2022/01/trump-arizona-rally-2024-election/621244/ theatlantic
2022, January 2022

People, Truth

“We are going to build a new era. Out with the death squads. Out with corruption. Out with drug trafficking and organized crime. No more poverty and misery. To victory! The people will always be united. Together, we are going to transform this country...”

Xiomara Castro (1959) First Lady of Honduras

speaking November 28, 2021 Quoted in “A Moment of Hope”: Xiomara Castro’s Likely Win in Honduran Election Ends Years of Right-Wing Rule After Coup https://www.democracynow.org/2021/11/30/xiomara_castro_first_woman_president_honduras, Democracy Now!, November 30, 2021

People, Victory, Death

“What would you do if people came into your house and beat you and beat your family, and then this aggressor wanted to sit down with you and say, “OK, be nice, and stay out of the country?””

Xiomara Castro (1959) First Lady of Honduras

Imagine, they have violated President Zelaya's’s rights. They have invented accusations of crimes against him, when they never presented any order of arrest. They took him out, tied up, transferred him to another country, and now they sit him down to negotiate with the criminals. Quoted in “A Moment of Hope”: Xiomara Castro’s Likely Win in Honduran Election Ends Years of Right-Wing Rule After Coup https://www.democracynow.org/2021/11/30/xiomara_castro_first_woman_president_honduras, Democracy Now!, November 30, 2021 (Speaking in 2009 on the Honduran-Nicaraguan border after the coup against Manuel Zelaya)

Family, Housing, People

“The combination of rising inflation, energy crisis and COVID epidemic makes this (2021) the most difficult year for our citizens since our country came to existence.”

Petr Fiala (1964) Leader of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS)

Source: Petr Fiala (2022) cited in " New Czech centre-right government wins confidence vote in parliament https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2022/01/14/new-czech-centre-right-government-wins-confidence-vote-in-parliament" on The Star, 14 January 2022.

“Who loves his country never forfeits heaven.”

Alfred Austin (1835–1913) British writer and poet

Source: Savonarola (1881), Candida to Valori in Act IV, sc. vi; p. 285.

Love

“You say you got a big house out in the country
with a ruddy great swimming pool.
You say you got a lot of things I never had. That's true.
But are you happy?
Are you happy?
Are you happy?
When you get right down to the nitty-gritty,
are you happy? You?”

Gilbert O'Sullivan (1946) Irish singer-songwriter

"Are You Happy?" (song) Song lyrics Source: Gilbert O'Sullivan, "Are You Happy?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLBSdzsybWw (song on YouTube)

Housing, Happiness

“The fact that you buy our diamonds is by itself an act of commitment to our country- wherever you are, you carry a bit of Botswana with you”

Mokgweetsi Masisi (1962) President of Botswana

Source: https://www.debeersgroup.com/~/media/Files/D/De-Beers-Group-V2/documents/company-news/2019/MEDIA%20RELEASE%20Dr%20Mokgweetsi%20Masisi%20President%20of%20the%20Republic%20of%20Botswana%20opens%20the%20JCK%20Las%20Vegas%20sho.pdf HIS EXCELLENCY, DR MOKGWEETSI MASISI, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA OPENS JCK LAS VEGAS SHOW, 31 May 2019, Retrieved 14th January 2022

“We are trying to help in every way we can, and above all in order to prevent people from choosing the solution of leaving the country forever, and in many cases risking their lives trying to cross the ocean.”

Antoine Chbeir (1961) Lebanese cleric, Maronite bishop of Latakia

Source: Bishop Chbeir – “The end of the war in Syria is in the hands of the international community” https://acninternational.org/bishop-chbeir-the-end-of-the-war-in-syria-is-in-the-hands-of-the-international-community/ (23 March 2018)

People, Help, Way

“The country needs peace, the country needs reconciliation and development. We will move forward with this peace implementation.”

Taban Deng Gai (1959) South Sudanese politician

Source: Taban Deng Gai (2016) cited in " Taban Deng Gai: South Sudan must move forward https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/7/23/taban-deng-gai-south-sudan-must-move-forward" on Aljazeera, 23 July 2016.

Peace

“Suriname is a country where rules apply and order prevails.”

Albert Jubithana Surinamese government minister

Source: Albert Jubithana (2022) cited in " Suriname not ready to welcome back CAL https://www.nationnews.com/2022/01/12/suriname-not-ready-welcome-back-cal/" on NationNews, January 2022.

“My fear is that if we did have another referendum, we might get the same or similar result and the country will still be divided. Somehow we have got to try and bring the country back together again.”

John McDonnell (1951) British politician (born 1951)

Source: Labour could form minority government without election - McDonnell https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-46288429 BBC News (21 November 2018)

Fear

“There are enough sensible people in the House of Commons to say 'this cannot happen, we cannot damage our country in this way.'”

John McDonnell (1951) British politician (born 1951)

Source: MPs can stop no-deal Brexit, says Labour's McDonnell https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41627340 BBC News (15 October 2017)

Housing, People, Way

“The good relations that must always exist between neighboring countries will be restored.”

Eduardo de Castro (1907–1955) Filipino actor and film director

Source: Eduardo de Castro (2021) cited in " Melilla Authorities Hope for Reopening of Borders With Morocco in 2022 https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2021/12/346225/melilla-authorities-hope-for-reopening-of-borders-with-morocco-in-2022" on Morocco World News, 27 December 2021. Context: border opening between Melilla and Morocco after COVID-19 lockdown

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.”

Colin Kaepernick (1987) American football quarterback

Source: quoted in Colin Kaepernick explains why he sat during national anthem, Steve Wyche, Aug 27, 2016, 2016 https://www.nfl.com/news/colin-kaepernick-explains-why-he-sat-during-national-anthem-0ap3000000691077,

People, Color

“I love Wisconsin, I love coming here. I've performed here a lot because I've discovered that you people apparently have some sort of federal grant for drinking. [audience cheers] It's–you're insane! You pay less for liquor than anybody I know anywhere in the country. Nobody pays any less for liquor than you. What're you–what're you–HOW?! I don't know if you're using that farm subsidy money, or if you're just hijacking liquor trucks, but this is fucking insane. [audience member shouts something] Is it volume? It's unbe–fucking–lievable, it's staggering! I come here because basically if I spend four days here drinking, and even with the plane ticket, it's cheaper than drinking in New York. How do you know when it's New Year's? That's the big mystery to me. What's the difference? I've been in bars here and it's like New Year's every fucking night! "Uh, New Year's, that's when we–we drink with hats on."”

Lewis Black (1948) American stand-up comedian, author, playwright, social critic and actor

Source: The White Album (2000)

Drink, Night, Love, Money

“[M]andatory public education in this country … was useful in creating not only a harmless electorate and a servile labor force but also a virtual herd of mindless consumers. In time a great number of industrial titans came to recognize the enormous profits to be had by cultivating and tending such a herd via public education.”

John Taylor Gatto (1935–2018) American teacher, book author

Weapons of Mass Instruction: A Schoolteacher's Journey Through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling (2008)
Source: Weapons of Mass Instruction: A Schoolteacher's Journey Through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling, New Society Publishers (2013) pp. xix-xx

Education, Time

“Silly people, and there are many, not only in enemy countries, might discount the force of the United States. Some said they were soft, others that they would never be united. They would fool around at a distance. They would never come to grips. They would never stand bloodletting. Their democracy and system of recurrent elections would paralyse their war horizon to friend or foe. Now we should see the weakness of this numerous but remote, wealthy, and talkative people. But I had studied the American Civil War, fought out to the last desperate inch.”

Winston S. Churchill book The Second World War

The Second World War (1948–1953)
Source: The Grand Alliance: The Second World War, Volume 3, (1950) p. 540

Democracy, Study, War, People

“I want to create new educational and work opportunities for young professionals in our country. I want them to gain experience and to become educated and trained to be owners and managers of all sectors of our society. While, at this time, we must rely on foreign know-how in the oil and gas sectors, the ground must be readied now for young Guyanese to assume those positions, regardless of their race, color or creed.”

Irfaan Ali (1980) President of Guyana

Source: Irfaan Ali (2022) cited in: " President pledges more oil and gas scholarships https://www.stabroeknews.com/2022/01/01/news/guyana/president-pledges-more-oil-and-gas-scholarships/" in Stabroek News, 1 January 2022.

Training, Education, Time, Color

“Patriotism means different things to different people. For me it entails citizen solidarity in promoting justice at home and resisting official lies, apologetics, euphemisms, crime and tyranny. Love of country requires a commitment to truth and readiness to counter «fake news » and skewed political «narratives.»”

Alfred de Zayas (1947) American United Nations official

Internationally, patriotism means averting harm from one’s country by pro-actively seeking dialogue and compromise, so as to contribute to peace and justice – pax et iustitia.
2021

Home, People, Truth, Justice

“A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It's where the rich use public transportation.”

Enrique Peñalosa (1954) Colombian politician

Cars

“Discouragement slowly but tenaciously strangles the greatest longings of the soul. Don't let the dreams God has put in your hearts be stolen. And never lose hope of achieving a better country.”

Jorge Eduardo Lozano (1955) Catholic archbishop

Source: “Don’t allow the dreams God put into your hearts to be stolen,” Argentinean bishop says https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/10471/dont-allow-the-dreams-god-put-into-your-hearts-to-be-stolen-argentinean-bishop-says (24 September 2007)

Soul, God, Dreams, Heart

“They are not my forces. They are military forces that belong to the government.… I don't own them. I am [the] president. I don't own the country so they are not my forces.”

Bashar al-Assad (1965) President of Syria

Interview with Barbara Walters (7 Dec. 2011) on the military escalation of the Syrian conflict

“In bringing forward this plan, the United States Government apparently counted on the cooperation of the Governments of the United Kingdom and France to confront the European countries in need of relief with the necessity of renouncing their inalienable right to dispose of their economic resources and to plan their national economy in their own way.”

Andrei Vyshinsky (1883–1954) Soviet politician

I covered it here but the above source is the official home of the speech. https://quotesexplained.com/necessity-of-renouncing-their-inalienable-right-andrei-vyshinsky/
Source: https://sites.temple.edu/immerman/vyshinsky-speech-to-u-n-general-assembly-2/

Way

“Climate change is a common challenge to mankind, and all countries need to work together to address it.”

Qin Gang (1966) politician

Source: "The Global Nature of Science, Technology and Innovation: An interview with Ambassador Qin Gang, China's Ambassador to the U.S." in Science & Diplomacy https://www.sciencediplomacy.org/conversation/2021/global-nature-science-technology-and-innovation-interview-ambassador-qin-gang (17 December 2021)

Change

“Before joining NATO, each country had to establish civilian control of its army. Before joining the European Union, each adopted laws on trade, judiciary, human rights. As a result, they became democracies. This was “democracy promotion” working as it never has before or since.”

Anne Applebaum (1964) journalist

"The myth of Russian humiliation" Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/anne-applebaum-nato-pays-a-heavy-price-for-giving-russia-too-much-credita-true-achievement-under-threat/2014/10/17/5b3a6f2a-5617-11e4-809b-8cc0a295c773_story.html (October 17, 2014)

Democracy, Law

“In many Western countries, everyday Russophobia has become of an unprecedented nature, and, to our great regret, is encouraged by government circles in a number of countries.”

Sergey Lavrov (1950) Russian politician and Foreign Minister

"West has declared ‘total war’ on Russia: Lavrov" https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ukraines-zelensky-accuses-russia-of-genocide-in-donbas-onslaught-174101, Hurriyet Daily news, 27 May 2022 About the Russian invasion of Ukraine 2022

Nature

“The West has declared war on us, on the whole Russian world. The culture of canceling Russia and everything connected with our country is already reaching the point of absurdity.”

Sergey Lavrov (1950) Russian politician and Foreign Minister

About the Russian invasion of Ukraine 2022

War, World

“It was always exciting to represent my country on the international stage. Imagine the adrenaline rush when I step on the track knowing that all eyes are on me. That made it extra special. I had fans from all over the world but the support back home was the best”

Amantle Montsho (1983) Motswana sprinter

https://www.mmegi.bw/sports/thank-you-amantle/news Thank You Amantle, Mmegi Online, Friday 15 October 2021, Retrieved 16 November 2021
"Simply the Greatest" (2020)

Home, Imagination, World, Support

“We accuse Western countries of taking a series of unlawful actions that has led to the blockade.”

Dmitry Peskov (1967) Russian politician

Said about the Russian blockade of Ukrainian ports, stopping export of food from Ukraine, quoted in "Russia slams sanctions, seeks to shift blame for food crisis" https://www.opb.org/article/2022/05/26/russia-slams-sanctions-seeks-to-shift-blame-for-food-crisis/, OPB/Associated Press, 26 May 2022 CNN Interview (March 2022)

“I want to unite the country. I think people have had enough of division, what they want is to come together as a nation and I intend to lead that.”

Anthony Albanese (1963) 31st Prime Minister of Australia

Anthony Albanese (2022) cited in: " Anthony Albanese: Who is Australia’s prime minister-elect? https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/21/anthony-albanese-who-is-australias-prime-minister-elect" in Aljazeera, 21 May 2022.

People, Thinking

“The leader of any country should be aware that in scientific matters there is no authority above the sovereignty of science.”

Ricardo Galvão (1947) Brazilian physicist and engineer

Ricardo Galvão. Ousted Head of Science Agency Criticizes Brazil’s Denial of Deforestation Data, 2019-08-20, 10.1029/2019EO131399, Showstack, R. https://eos.org/articles/ousted-head-of-science-agency-criticizes-brazils-denial-of-deforestation-data,

Science

“My life has been a bit special, this is true. I participated in the liberation of my country. I was one of the organisers of its struggle for liberation. I likewise actively participated in all the struggles for liberation.”

Ahmed Ben Bella (1916–2012) First President of Algeria

Interview with Silvia Cattori (2006)

Life

“The one-party state is a marvelous instrument for a war of liberation but as a government system, in every country at every latitude, it has revealed the same defects; it represents only one point of view.”

Ahmed Ben Bella (1916–2012) First President of Algeria

"Ahmed Ben Bella: Revolutionary Internationalist " in CounterCurrents https://countercurrents.org/2020/11/ahmed-ben-bella-revolutionary-internationalist/ (11 March 2020)

War

“The rest of the world looks at you and sees who you are. They see you are a multi-ethnic group of Americans that are, in fact, together and united into one so — resolve: to defend your country and to help those who need help. That’s why you’re here.”

Joe Biden (1942) 47th Vice President of the United States (in office from 2009 to 2017)

2022, March 2022, Remarks to members of the 82nd Airborne Division in Poland

Help, World

“It is very easy to be a skilled man at the head of a powerful country. The difficult thing is to be one when representing a weak country.”

Daniel Salamanca (1863–1935) President of Bolivia (1863-1935)

https://www.paginasiete.bo/revmiradas/2017/7/2/hombre-simbolo-guerra-chaco-143092.html
El hombre símbolo de la Guerra del Chaco
Página Siete

“Will the right hon. Lady take the opportunity today and every day to make clear to the country, as only she can, that the courses that are being commended to her by the official Opposition and by many other voices mean nothing but a deliberate return to hyper-inflation?”

Enoch Powell (1912–1998) British politician

Question http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1980/jul/22/prime-minister-engagements#column_267 to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the House of Commons (22 July 1980) 1980s

“Taiwan will be a beautiful country. A normal country. We need time to change, the road is long but we will continue to follow it.”

Lin Ching-yi (1974) Taiwanese politician

"Taiwan 2020 election, voices from DPP: "Democracy, rights and identity: so we will be stronger"" in Affaritaliani.it https://www.affaritaliani.it/politica/geopolitica/taiwan-2020-election-dpp-interview.html?refresh_ce (23 November 2019)

Time, Beauty, Change

“I also believe that in many parts of this country, and certainly in many parts of this globe, that the opposite of poverty is not wealth. I don't believe that. I actually think, in too many places, the opposite of poverty is justice.”

Bryan Stevenson (1959) American lawyer, social reformer and academic

We need to talk about an injustice https://www.ted.com/talks/bryan_stevenson_we_need_to_talk_about_an_injustice|

Justice, Wealth, Thinking, Parting

“We have a system of justice in this country that treats you much better if you're rich and guilty than if you're poor and innocent. Wealth, not culpability, shapes outcomes.”

Bryan Stevenson (1959) American lawyer, social reformer and academic

We need to talk about an injustice https://www.ted.com/talks/bryan_stevenson_we_need_to_talk_about_an_injustice|

Justice, Wealth

“Look, as a father and a grandfather — and I’m sure we all feel the same way — I understand how difficult this shortage has been for families all across the country. There is nothing more stressful than the feeling like you can’t get what your child needs — what he or she needs.”

Joe Biden (1942) 47th Vice President of the United States (in office from 2009 to 2017)

2022, June 2022, Remarks by President Biden During Virtual Meeting on Accelerating Infant Formula Production Through Operation Fly Formula

Family, Understanding, Way, Feeling

“The people of Ukraine continue to inspire the world with their courage and resolve as they fight bravely to defend their country and their democracy against Russian aggression.”

Joe Biden (1942) 47th Vice President of the United States (in office from 2009 to 2017)

Statement by President Joe Biden on Additional Security Assistance to Ukraine (June 1, 2022) https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/01/statement-by-president-joe-biden-on-additional-security-assistance-to-ukraine-2/ 2022, June 2022

Democracy, Courage, People, Fight

“So often, our Armed Forces and the Department of Defense staff are how the rest of the world encounters America. And you all know as well as anyone that our country is safer and stronger when we lead not just with the example of our power, but with the power of our example.”

Joe Biden (1942) 47th Vice President of the United States (in office from 2009 to 2017)

2021, February 2021, Remarks by President Biden to Department of Defense Personnel, February 10, 2021

World

“No country will allow its legislative structure, parliament or congress to be filled up by treasonists, foreign agents or proxies of foreign forces. The Hong Kong electoral system must therefore be protected from exploitation and from foreign interference.”

John Lee Ka-chiu (1957) Chief Executive-elect of Hong Kong

"Speech by CS at online side event on Hong Kong-related issues during 49th session of United Nations Human Rights Council" https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202203/16/P2022031600619.htm (16 March 2022)

“For centuries, the people have always been with the Church and the Church has always been by the people's side because it has always sought to serve the country and not the leaders.”

Stanisław Dziwisz (1939) Polish cardinal

Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz: “Europe was constructed, and continues to be constructed, upon Christian values” https://visegradpost.com/en/2020/05/18/cardinal-stanislaw-dziwisz-europe-was-constructed-and-continues-to-be-constructed-upon-christian-values/ (18 May 2020)

People

“We Germans have learned from history. We are a peace-loving, freedom-loving people. For us, love of our native country, love of freedom, and the spirit of being a good neighbor always belong together.”

Helmut Kohl (1930–2017) former chancellor of West Germany (1982-1990) and then the united Germany (1990-1998)

As quoted in "Kohl: German chancellor, European statesman" https://www.dw.com/en/kohl-german-chancellor-european-statesman/a-16274982 (October 1, 2012), Deutsche Welle

Peace, History, Freedom, People

“Things like freedom and liberty and constitutional protection and unalienable rights that are beyond the scope of government. Those type of things are the only things that will help us deal with some of the division in our country.”

Jody Hice (1960) Georgia Republican Congressman

Congressman Jody Hice: Religious Liberty and Good Business are Benefits of Republican Majority https://merionwest.com/2018/03/29/congressman-jody-hice-religious-liberty-and-good-business-are-benefits-of-republican-majority/ (29 March 2018)

Freedom, Help

“Without being a prophet, I am optimistic, in spite of everything. I trust the Tunisian people who want to live in peace and build their own Country.”

Ilario Antoniazzi (1948) Catholic archbishop

"I am confident: Tunisians will be able to react with strength and courage" says the Archbishop of Tunis http://www.fides.org/en/news/66276-AFRICA_TUNISIA_I_am_confident_Tunisians_will_be_able_to_react_with_strength_and_courage_says_the_Archbishop_of_Tunis (28 June 2019)

Peace, People

“I see the significance of the Marshall Plan in the fact that probably for the first time in history a victorious country held out its hand so that the vanquished might rise again.”

Konrad Adenauer (1876–1967) German statesman, Federal Chancellor of Germany, politician (CDU)

Oral History Interview with Konrad Adenauer https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/oral-histories/adenauer (10 June 1964), Harry S. Truman Library

Time, History, Victory

“The aim has always been to play for the country and bring laurels. It remains the same.”

Sania Nehwal (1990) Indian badminton player

"Saina Nehwal Interview: 'The Last Year Has Been The Toughest Time Of My Life'" in The Huffington Post https://www.huffpost.com/archive/in/entry/saina-nehwal-_n_7246612 (23 May 2015)

“We don’t want to be manipulated by right-wing elitist billionaires or by left-wing guys that don’t understand our life on the ground that is living in fear of crime, that is living as a result of inflation that is killing us in many parts of the country. We need gas to go to work.”

Al Sharpton (1954) American Baptist minister, civil rights activist, and television/radio talk show host

“Democratic Outlook for 2022 Midterms” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea8LKGL0xXo MSNBC (April 11, 2022)

Fear, Guy, Understanding, Life

“We don’t need ‘masters’ that dictate to other countries, let alone politicizing and turning the human rights issue into a tool, practicing double standards and interference in the internal affairs of other countries under the pretext of human rights.”

Xi Jinping (1953) General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and paramount leader of China

"Xi Jinping Defends China's Human Rights Record Amid Accusations Over Uyghur Camps" https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/china/xi-jinping-defends-chinas-human-rights-record-amid-accusations-over-uyghur-camps-articleshow.html in Republic World (25 May 2002) 2020s

“When it comes to human rights issues, there is no such thing as a flawless utopia and countries do not need patronizing lecturers.”

Xi Jinping (1953) General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and paramount leader of China

2020s

“With all the stir made about education, the ignorance of our own country's history is something lamentable and appalling and depressing.”

J.C. Ryle (1816–1900) Anglican bishop

"John Hooper: Bishop and Martyr", p. 70
Light from Old Times (1890)

History, Education

“Our country, our nation is built by two institutions, the state and the language. A language whose epicenter today is no longer on these banks of the Seine, but probably much more towards the Congo River basin.”

Emmanuel Macron (1977) 25th President of the French Republic

Macron lashes out at Zemmour: “Our identity is not built on narrow-mindedness" https://palnws.be/2021/09/macron-haalt-uit-naar-zemmour-onze-identiteit-is-niet-gebouwd-op-bekrompenheid/ 2017, 2021

“If we strive only for national reconstruction but neglect to struggle for sovereignty and territorial integrity, national independence will certainly not be recognized and our country will be reduced to an autonomous state.”

Trường Chinh (1907–1988) former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (1907-1988)

Source: The August Revolution (1946) (excerpts), p.68

“The collapse of world imperialism is a long historical process comprising different types of revolutions in various countries, determined by their unequal level of economic, political and social development.”

Trường Chinh (1907–1988) former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (1907-1988)

For the Centenary of Lenin’s Birth (1971) (excerpts)

World

“I'd rather go to prison for the third time rather than let the current government [of Yulia Tymoshenko] assume power. It would cost the country less for one person to suffer than for the whole country to suffer.”

Viktor Yanukovych (1950) Ukrainian politician who was the President of Ukraine

2009
Source: [2020-10-27, Янукович пожалел, что в третий раз не сел в тюрьму - Украина - TCH.ua, https://tsn.ua/ru/ukrayina/yanukovich-pozhalel-chto-v-tretii-raz-ne-sel-v-tyurmu.html, https://web.archive.org/web/20201027065326/https://tsn.ua/ru/ukrayina/yanukovich-pozhalel-chto-v-tretii-raz-ne-sel-v-tyurmu.html, 2020-10-27, 2022-06-12, web.archive.org]

Personality, Suffering, Time