QuoteProject
The idea that putting Americans 'first' requires a withdrawal from the world is simply wrongheaded because a retreat would achieve exactly the opposite for our citizens.
Colin Powell
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Prioritizing national interests by isolating from global responsibilities is misguided and ultimately counterproductive.

Colin Powell highlights the fallacy in the notion that prioritizing Americans necessitates disengagement from international affairs. He argues that withdrawing from global engagement would not serve the interests of American citizens; instead, active participation in the world is essential for their well-being and security.

Themes

Global EngagementNational InterestIsolationismCitizensForeign Policy

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about international relations at a conference.

More from Colin Powell

Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. I am talking about a gung-ho attitude that says 'we can change things here, we can achieve awesome goals, we can be the best. 'Spare me the grim litany of the 'realist;' give me the unrealistic aspirations of the optimist any day.
Colin PowellRead
One of the fondest expressions around is that we can't be the world's policeman. But guess who gets called when suddenly someone needs a cop.
Colin PowellRead
Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.
Colin PowellRead
If you get the dirty end of the stick, sharpen it and turn it into a useful tool.
Colin PowellRead
High-quality early-childhood programs and health coverage have expanded, and the number of mentoring relationships for at-risk youth has risen dramatically. That progress is encouraging, but it's not evenly distributed.
Colin PowellRead
As I've thought about gay marriage, I don't see any reason not to say that [couples] should be able to get married.
Colin PowellRead

Similar quotes

The good of our soul is more important than that of our body; and we have to prefer the spiritual welfare of our neighbor to our bodily comforts. . . If a certain kind of dress constitutes a grave and proximate occasion of sin, and endangers the salvation of your soul and others, it is your duty to give it up.
Pope Pius XiiRead
Nationalism is like cheap alcohol. First it makes you drunk, then it makes you blind, then it kills you.
Daniel FriedRead
Through tears and trials, through fears and sorrows, through the heartache and loneliness of losing loved ones, there is assurance that life is everlasting. Our Lord and Savior is the living witness that such is so.
Thomas S. MonsonRead
How much more of the mosque, of prayer and fasting?_x000D_ _x000D_ Better go drunk and begging round the taverns._x000D_ _x000D_ Khayyam, drink wine, for soon this clay of yours_x000D_ _x000D_ Will make a cup, bowl, one day a jar._x000D_ _x000D_ When once you hear the roses are in bloom,_x000D_ _x000D_ Then is the time, my love, to pour the wine;_x000D_ _x000D_ Houris and palaces and Heaven and Hell-_x000D_ _x000D_ These are but fairy-tales, forget them all.
Omar KhayyamRead
Racism was not a problem on the Discworld, because - what with trolls and dwarfs and so on - speciesism was more interesting. Black and white lived in perfect harmony and ganged up on green.
Terry PratchettRead
All drugs of any interest to any moderately intelligent person in America are now illegal.
Thomas SzaszRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.