Stephen Harper Quotes

I don't feel that I or Canada has to prove anything through big, loud, overt acts.

America must be a light to the world, not just a missile.

Britain's most useful role is somewhere between bee and dinosaur.

The United States has far more to offer the world than our bombs and missiles and our military technology.

It's clear that the United States has more to give the world than military bases.

The voice and force of the United States may count for nothing if they are withheld too long.

Italy should be an angel of light among the nations.

Russia is living proof that hard power is brittle without the other dimensions of great-power status.

There is no substitute for American leadership and exceptionalism.

Often, my liberal Canadian brethren will claim that 'Canada doesn't get involved in foreign affairs or wars overseas. We turn the other cheek.' No. Canada doesn't have the military might to exercise any option other than to remain uninvolved. They aren't turning the other cheek. They're pulling a Sweden.

We are not a superpower like the U.S. We are a small and neutral country.

Our country, if that is what we want, can now permanently radiate love, understanding, the power of the spirit and of ideas. It is precisely this glow that we can offer as our specific contribution to international politics.

Whether splendidly isolated or dangerously isolated, I will not now debate; but for my part, I think splendidly isolated, because the isolation of England comes from her superiority.

In the whole history of this country, we have probably won more friends from the power of our example than from the power of our military.

My standpoint is armed neutrality.

I sincerely join you in abjuring all political connection with every foreign power; and tho I cordially wish well to the progress of liberty in all nations, and would forever give it the weight of our countenance, yet they are not to be touched without contamination from their other bad principles. Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto.

I've been saying for the last nine years, our power comes as much from - our respect in the world comes as much from the exercise of our power as it does from the power of our principles.

The authority and influence of France on the world scene in the 21st century will not depend solely on its modernity and cohesion, nor even on the continuity and professionalism of its foreign policy. France will be heeded if it has a message to convey. Faced with the temptations of laissez-faire, France must stand out as the nation with the imagination and determination to pursue an ambition that combines cogency with generosity.

We seek friendly relations with all nations. Any nation can be our friend without being any other nation's enemy.

Democracy is the best school to learn soft power.

Are we going to lead the world with strength and in accordance with our values? That's what I intend to do.

There's a gaping difference between the United States of America and Putin's Russia.

One other thing: at the meeting in Canada, [there was] the coup in Fiji. This comes to an important part of the Commonwealth: the role of the Queen [Elizabeth II]. I had absolutely just enormous respect for her as leader of the Commonwealth. You could talk to her about any of the fifty-one countries of the Commonwealth and you could have an intelligent conversation with her about the economics, the politics. She really immersed herself in the Commonwealth.

What I'm interested in is Britain projecting itself abroad, and through that its values and the things it holds dear. And I don't think you do that by refusing to talk to the world's second-largest economy [China]. In fact, that is positively counter-productive in my view.

Nothing is more essential, than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular Nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded; and that, in place of them, just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated.