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Human rights is the soul of our foreign policy, because human rights is the very soul of our sense of nationhood.
Jimmy Carter
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Human rights are fundamental to a nation's identity and its approach to international relations.

In this quote, Jimmy Carter emphasizes that the principles of human rights are not just ethical concepts but are integral to the identity of a nation. He suggests that a country’s foreign policy should reflect its dedication to promoting and protecting human rights, as they form the core of what it means to be a nation.

Themes

Human RightsNationhoodForeign PolicyIdentity

In practice

Example use cases

During a speech on diplomatic relations, one could highlight this quote to stress the importance of human rights in international decision-making.

More from Jimmy Carter

Acknowledging the physical realities of our planet does not mean a dismal future of endless sacrifice. In fact, acknowledging these realities is the first step in dealing with them. We can meet the resource problems of the world - water, food, minerals, farmlands, forests, overpopulation, pollution - if we tackle them with courage and foresight.
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The preeminent obstacle to peace is Israel's colonization of Palestine.
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I would say the biggest handicap we have right now is some nutcases in our country that don't believe in global warming. I think they are going to change their position because of pressure from individuals, because the evidence of the ravages of global warming is already there.
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If I were president, I'd be very glad to see the Palestinians have a nation recognized by the United Nations. There's no downside to it.
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My understanding of racial discrimination as a child was highly distorted because the most prominent man in Archery was an African-American bishop. When he came home from up north, where he was in charge of A.M.E. churches in five states, it was front-page news. He was the most successful man in my life.
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Our American values are not luxuries but necessities, not the salt in our bread, but the bread itself. Our common vision of a free and just society is our greatest source of cohesion at home and strength abroad, greater than the bounty of our material blessings.
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