1962, Cuban Missile Crisis speech
p 29 of Towards the Nuclear Holocaust (1980) Menard Press, London.
Tactics and Strategy of the Latin American Revolution (1962)
1961, Address at the University of Washington
Context: No one should be under the illusion that negotiations for the sake of negotiations always advance the cause of peace. If for lack of preparation they break up in bitterness, the prospects of peace have been endangered. If they are made a forum for propaganda or a cover for aggression, the processes of peace have been abused. But it is a test of our national maturity to accept the fact that negotiations are not a contest spelling victory or defeat. They may succeed — they may fail. They are likely to be successful only if both sides reach an agreement which both regard as preferable to the status quo — an agreement in which each side can consider its own situation to be improved. And this is most difficult to obtain. But, while we shall negotiate freely, we shall not negotiate freedom. Our answer to the classic question of Patrick Henry is still no-life is not so dear, and peace is not so precious, "as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery." And that is our answer even though, for the first time since the ancient battles between Greek city-states, war entails the threat of total annihilation, of everything we know, of society itself. For to save mankind's future freedom, we must face up to any risk that is necessary. We will always seek peace — but we will never surrender.
2010s, Interview with The Conversation (September 2017)
" Henry “Scoop” Jackson for President 1972 Campaign Brochure http://www.4president.org/brochures/scoopjackson1972brochure.htm", 4President.org. Retrieved 07-02-2006.
Zeit Online http://www.zeit.de/online/2008/30/schmidt-atomausstieg-spd, 23. July 2008
“If we could be freed from our aversion to loss, our whole outlook on risk would change.”
Source: The Faith of Leap (2011), p. 136
“We must know what we think and speak out, even at the risk of unpopularity.”
Source: Tomorrow Is Now (1963), pp. 119–120
Context: We must know what we think and speak out, even at the risk of unpopularity. In the final analysis, a democratic government represents the sum total of the courage and the integrity of its individuals. It cannot be better than they are. … In the long run there is no more exhilarating experience than to determine one's position, state it bravely and then act boldly.
“The fruits of victory are tumbling into our mouths too quickly.”
To an aide, 29 April 1942, as quoted in Pearl Harbor: From Infamy to Greatness.
