Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker refutes the idea that being offensive causes desire to hurt the US, asserting defense drives the offensive stance.
In plain terms
We attack because people want to hurt us, not the other way around.
What can you take from it?
Offensive actions are framed as necessary defense.

Where it applies

  • press conference
  • security briefing
  • public address

Putting it to work

  • explain strategy
  • address criticism
  • clarify stance

Questions to consider

  • Does offense provoke more offense?
  • How is threat defined here?

Another view

This logic simplifies complex geopolitical cause and effect.

More from George W. Bush

  1. Tribal sovereignty means that; it's sovereign. I mean, you're a - you've been given sovereignty, and you're viewed as a sovereign entity. And therefore the rel…

    Permalink to quote #147
  2. That's why I cut the taxes on everybody. I didn't cut them. The Congress cut them. I asked them to cut them.

    Permalink to quote #149
  3. Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.

    Permalink to quote #146

Related quotes

  1. The war on terror as defined by President Bush is a one-dimensional presentation of reality. We cannot fight terrorism by military means alone. We can use mili…

    George SorosGeorge Soros quote #64
  2. Given the goals of rogue states and terrorists, the United States can no longer solely rely on a reactive posture as we have in the past. The inability to dete…

    George W. BushGeorge W. Bush quote #91
  3. But in terms of Saddam Hussein being there, let's remember that his country is divided, in effect. He does not control the northern part of his country. We are…

    Condoleezza RiceCondoleezza Rice quote #3