Jimmy Carter Quotes

There never was a time when, in my opinion, some way could not be found to prevent the drawing of the sword.

I've spent my life navigating through sensitive issues. Not wanting to upset people.

There should be an honest attempt at the reconciliation of differences before resorting to combat.

We advised them to do what they think proper against the war.

I try to avoid conflict. I don't want people to be unhappy.

You have to pick your battles on set.

I can't really fight.

Very few conflicts in the history of the world have been satisfactorily concluded according to a published timetable, because you lose all flexibility in dealing with your opponents.

I am certain that we need a solution completely separate from military intervention.

I think most conflicts do end with negotiated settlements; some don't, but most do.

I don't have to fight if I don't want to.

Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker the lawyer has superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough.

To resolve problems through negotiation is a very childish approach.

It is our duty to persuade the nations of the world, in whatever way that we can, to settle their differences in some other way. (Other than war)

Only negotiations can resolve long standing grievances.

There is no conflict that can’t be solved.

I am not authorized to make peace.

The alternative is not war or doing nothing. Whoever rejects war is not doomed to appeasement.

You don’t quit when you are in the middle of a conflict…. My job was not to have a fit and walk out. My job was to give the President my best advice.

Conflicts between nations will continue to arise. The real issue is whether they are to be resolved by force, or by resort to peaceful methods and procedures, administered by impartial institutions.

I have desired as sincerely as any man—I sometimes think more than any other man—that our present difficulties might be settled without the shedding of blood.

It is impossible for either nations or individuals, in the management of a dispute, to have the benefit of two opposite chances. They may be, from the first, moderate, pacific, magnanimous; they will thus secure certain advantages, and they will lose possible advantages. They may, on the contrary, be haughty, warlike, and selfish ; their chances and advantages will then be the reverse of the former. It is impossible to unite the two.

I deal with conflicts that irritate people and give them stress, like the dispute over a car payment. I can resolve those cases in a moment.

I don't believe in uselessly fighting for nothing.

I'm a huge mediator.