Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author advises trusting allies but confirming their actions through verification.
In plain terms
Trust people but check their work.
What can you take from it?
Verification ensures trust is well-placed.

Where it applies

  • international relations
  • negotiations
  • policy implementation

Putting it to work

  • managing international agreements
  • assessing allies
  • policy making

Questions to consider

  • How do you balance trust and caution?
  • Is verification always compatible with trust?

Another view

Excessive verification may damage necessary cooperation or relationships.

More from Ronald Reagan

  1. A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.

    Permalink to quote #121

  2. Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.

    Permalink to quote #123

  3. The nine most terrifying words in the English language are 'I'm from the government, and I'm here to help.'

    Permalink to quote #120

Related quotes

  1. To the president the Democrats should be saying, Double or Nothing is Not a Foreign Policy. The great bulk of the public doesn't believe this president any mor…

    Joshua Micah MarshallJoshua Micah Marshall quote #4

  2. I think the word of the United States has been as good as gold in its international dealings and its agreements.

    Condoleezza RiceCondoleezza Rice quote #20

  3. The history of human conduct does not warrant that exalted opinion of human virtue which would make it wise in a nation to commit interests of so delicate and …

    Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton quote #37