The damage done to this country by its own misconduct in the last few months and years, to its very heart and soul, is far greater and longer lasting than any damage that any terrorist could possibly inflict upon us.
Theodore C. SorensenRead
Our surest protection against assault from abroad has been not all our guards, gates and guns, or even our two oceans, but our essential goodness as a people. Our richest asset has been not our material wealth but our values.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that a nation's true strength lies in its moral values rather than its physical defenses or wealth.
Theodore C. Sorensen suggests that the moral integrity and essential goodness of a society provide a more reliable form of protection against external threats than military capabilities or geographic advantages. This perspective shifts the focus from materialism and military might to the inherent values that define a people's character and resilience in the face of challenges.
Themes
GoodnessValuesProtectionStrengthIntegrity
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on national security, you might quote this to emphasize the importance of ethical values.
More from Theodore C. Sorensen
All quotes →We have contingency plans for war, but none for peace.
Theodore C. SorensenRead
Public opinion rarely considers the needs of the next generation or the history of the last. It is frequently hampered by myths and misinformation, by stereotypes and shibboleths, and by an inate resistance to innovation.
Theodore C. SorensenRead
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