Chinese Proverb - Do not use a hatchet to remove a fly from your fr

Do not use a hatchet to remove a fly from your friend's forehead.

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I never use my sword when the lash suffices, nor the lash when my tongue is enough.

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Although we are very strong, we are pursuing a very calculating and moderate policy. We prefer a political solution and are managing the situation accordingly.

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Testing can be used to show the presence of bugs, but never to show their absence!

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Discretion--humble as it seems, it has often brought about successes in which talent failed and genius did not succeed. Discretion in the great affairs of the world does wonders, and safety depends frequently and is chiefly derived from it....

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There is a widespread understanding among the people of this nation, and probably among the people of the world, that there is no safety except through the prevention of war.

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Unilateralism in secret is sometimes necessary at the height of a crisis.

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I cannot take the responsibility for the shedding a single drop of blood. I believe this bloodshed could have been avoided.

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Lawrence David Freedman

… minor incidents—the kind you can never really foresee—combine to lower the general level of performance, so that one always falls short of the intended goal.

Isaac Asimov

There are limits beyond which your folly will not carry you.

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There is a middle ground between sitting on our hands and sending in the marines.

Elihu Root

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No matter how thuggishly the enemy behaves, the court will absolutely not resort to war.

Response when German Troops were occupying a part of China. See {641706}.

Joseph Dougherty

I hope to see no in-fighting and lots of cooperation. We can either all be part of the problem, or part of the solution, but I think we will all work together well on the same team.