Only Americans can hurt America.
Interpretation
Americans have the power to cause harm to their own country through their actions and decisions.
This quote reflects the idea that the greatest threats to a nation often come from within, rather than from external sources. It emphasizes the responsibility of citizens to act in ways that uphold the values and integrity of their country, suggesting that neglect or wrongdoing by the populace can lead to national decline or harm.
In practice
This quote could be used during a civic lecture to highlight the importance of active citizenship.
If a man's associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.
The libraries of America are and must ever remain the home of free and inquiring minds. To them, our citizens-of all ages and races, of all creeds and persuasions-must be able to turn with clear confidence that there they can freely seek the whole truth, unvarnished by fashion and uncompromised by expediency.
You don't lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.
When pressure mounts and strain increases everyone begins to show the weaknesses in his makeup. It is up to the Commander to conceal his: above all to conceal doubt, fear, and distrust.
Some years ago I became president of Columbia University and learned within 24 hours to be ready to speak at the drop of a hat, and I learned something more, the trustees were expected to be ready to speak at the passing of the hat.
I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.
The true end of tragedy is to purify the passions.
And I suddenly think, as I look across the table at him, that these are the days as they will be. This is the future as we see it. The swerve and the static. The confidence and the doubt.
We must be free for the truth; and conversely, to be able to be open toward the truth may be our deepest freedom as human creatures.
It hurts the spirit, somehow, to read the word environments, when the plural means that there are so many alternatives there to be sorted through, as in a market, and voted on.
Intuitive versus analytical? That's a foolish choice. It's foolish, just like trying to choose between being realistic or idealistic. You need both in life.
Everyone should be respected as an individual, but no one idolized.
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