“We can ignore reality, but we cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality.”
Ayn Rand (1905–1982) Russian-American novelist and philosopher
Variant: We can evade reality, but we cannot evade the consequences of evading reality
About withdrawing diplomatic recognition of Taiwan in favor of the People's Republic of China
"One Man's Cup of Coffee," Time Magazine profile (June 30, 1961)
“We can ignore reality, but we cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality.”
Ayn Rand (1905–1982) Russian-American novelist and philosopher
Variant: We can evade reality, but we cannot evade the consequences of evading reality
Mao Zedong (1893–1976) Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People
“The Chinese and U.S. economies are inseparable, and that's the reality.”
Wang Qishan (1948) Chinese politician
Source: "China and US economies 'inseparable,' Wang Qishan tells Davos" in Nikkei Asia https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/China-and-US-economies-inseparable-Wang-Qishan-tells-Davos (24 January 2019)
“If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform a million realities.”
Maya Angelou (1928–2014) American author and poet
Source: Poems
Joe Queenan (1950) American writer
Source: One for the Books
William Penn (1644–1718) English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, early Quaker and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania
1
Fruits of Solitude (1682), Part I
“Put 800 million Chinese to work under a decent system and they will be the leaders of the world.”
Richard Nixon (1913–1994) 37th President of the United States of America
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/pdf/OnChina-Chapter9.pdf <br class="br">2000s
Stanley Kubrick (1928–1999) American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer and editor
Quoted in Eyes Wide Open: A Memoir of Stanley Kubrick (1999) by Frederic Raphael, p. 107
George Macartney (1737–1806) British statesman, colonial administrator and diplomat
Our First Ambassador to China (Biography, 1908)
Jakaya Kikwete (1950) Tanzanian politician and president
Comparing China's financial assistance to his country. <br class="br">Interviews, Interview with Financial Times, 2007-10-04 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d8a07e28-72a3-11dc-b7ff-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check1/