Skip to content
quotesby

I wish I could keep war from all Nations; but that is beyond my power. I can at least make certain that no act of the United States helps to produce or to promote war. I can at least make clear that the conscience of America revolts against war and that any Nation which provokes war forfeits the sympathy of the people of the United States.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt#46

WarPeacePolicyForeign policyMoralityMorals

WhatsApp (opens in a new tab)X (opens in a new tab)

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker wants to prevent war and commits to ensuring the US does not promote it, noting that provoking war loses sympathy.
In plain terms
I cannot stop all war but I will ensure the US does not cause it.
What can you take from it?
Avoid actions that promote war to maintain moral standing.

Where it applies

  • international diplomacy
  • policy debates
  • conflict resolution

Putting it to work

  • avoid military provocation
  • maintain neutrality
  • support peace efforts

Questions to consider

  • How do we stay neutral without becoming weak?
  • What actions provoke war unintentionally?

Another view

Passive non-participation may not stop aggressive adversaries.

More from Franklin Delano Roosevelt

  1. I have seen war. I have seen war on land and sea. I have seen blood running from the wounded. I have seen men coughing out their gassed lungs. I have seen the …

    Permalink to quote #45

  2. Many causes produce war. There are ancient hatreds, turbulent frontiers, the 'legacy of old forgotten, far-off things, and battles long ago.' There are new-bor…

    Permalink to quote #47

  3. We are not isolationists except in so far as we seek to isolate ourselves completely from war. Yet we must remember that so long as war exists on earth there w…

    Permalink to quote #44

Related quotes

  1. Iraq is an unjust war. (spoken on the Diane Rehm Show; stated in articles written for NY Times; printed in USA Today)

    Jimmy CarterJimmy Carter quote #10

  2. We are not isolationists except in so far as we seek to isolate ourselves completely from war. Yet we must remember that so long as war exists on earth there w…

    Franklin Delano RooseveltFranklin Delano Roosevelt quote #44

  3. The final chapter of The Great Illusion presents a convincing plea for a change in foreign policy from that of a war policy to one of international cooperation…

    Norman AngellNorman Angell quote #49