While the United States has often taken the wrong path, it has rarely failed to demonstrate - at least in the long run - the courage to reverse its steps.
Antony BlinkenRead
We deal, unfortunately, every single day with leaders of countries who are responsible for actions we find either objectionable or abhorrent, whether it's Vladimir Putin, whether it's Xi Jinping, whether it's any others on a long list of people I can name. But we find ways to deal with them.
Interpretation
Leaders often make decisions that are controversial or morally wrong, yet we must find practical ways to engage with them.
In this quote, Antony Blinken reflects on the challenges of dealing with world leaders whose actions may be deemed objectionable or unacceptable. He emphasizes the pragmatic approach required in international relations, acknowledging that while it is difficult to engage with such leaders, it is necessary to find constructive ways to work together despite their controversial actions.
In practice
In a speech about diplomacy, one might use this quote to illustrate the need for engagement despite disagreements.
While the United States has often taken the wrong path, it has rarely failed to demonstrate - at least in the long run - the courage to reverse its steps.
When it comes to climate change, I think that success at home is directly tied to our ability to lead effectively abroad.
Some friends of Israel believe that the Palestinians will never, in their hearts, accept a Jewish state in Palestine. Yet Germans and French, Chinese and Japanese, Mexicans and Americans have overcome their once insurmountable differences. Palestinians and Jews also have much to gain from peaceful coexistence.
By virtually every metric, the liberal international order has made the world healthier, wealthier, wiser, more secure and more tolerant than it has ever been.
I don't think anyone in the 1990s, the late '90s, anticipated that the Putin they knew then would become the Putin we know now.
My father's father fled a pogrom in Russia in the early 20th century and was welcomed to the United States. So was my stepmother, who escaped as a young girl from Communist Hungary in 1950.
We make every effort to see that our actions live up to our words and be vigilant with regards to our behavior.
It is the duty of government to make it difficult for people to do wrong, easy to do right.
Perhaps, therefore, it is odd that if there is any one phrase that is guaranteed to set me off it's when someone says to me, 'OK, fine. You're the boss!' What irks me is that in 90% of such instances what that person is really saying is, 'OK, then, I don't agree with you, but I'll roll over and do it because you're telling me to. But if it doesn't work out I'll be the first to remind everyone that it wasn't my idea.'
Duty is the great business of a sea officer; all private considerations must give way to it, however painful it may be.
I say that every prince must desire to be considered merciful and not cruel. He must, however, take care not to misuse this mercifulness.
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.
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