Abba Eban Quotes

The most fundamental purpose of government is defense, not empire.

The predominant yardstick of your government is not human rights but national interests.

What a country calls its vital... interests are not things that help its people live, but things that help it make war.

Russia has been too weak, and the weak get beaten.

Governments interfere in the affairs of each other, when they conceive their own peace is endangered.

Peace and harmony with all nations is our sincere wish; but such being the lot of humanity that nations will not always reciprocate peaceable dispositions, it is our firm belief that effectual measures of defense will tend to inspire that national self-respect and confidence at home which is the unfailing source of respectability abroad, to check aggression and prevent war.

Shall we be defenseless America, a weak and harmless nation, or shall we be defensive America, the fear and dread of all nations?

A good society is able to face schemes of world domination and foreign revolutions alike without fear.

There is a rank due to the United States among nations, which will be withheld, if not absolutely lost, by the reputation of weakness. If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure the peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known that we are at all times ready for war.

It is not important what the other side says or means. What is important are the military capabilities of the other side.

It is just as important to define the limit beyond which we will not intervene as it is to convince our people that we cannot find security in an isolationist party.

Security is an underlining interest of Israel.

Let me let you in on a little secret. There is no such thing as an international community. There are self-maximizing, self-interested states that will push their interests as far as possible.

The purpose of our common defense, after all, is to protect our people so that we can enjoy the blessings of peace, faith, freedom, family, prosperity.

Nations don't have friends; they have interests. The best motivation for a state to act if it is remote from an epidemic is if its own security is at risk.

We can't take our ball and go home when the consequences mean a weaker America.

We have no eternal allies, and we have not perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow.

But it is well to remember that we are dealing with nations every one of which has a direct individual interest to serve, and there is grave danger in an unshared idealism.

When I came to office, in terms of diplomacy and national security, as well as the economy, Japan was in a very severe situation.

The security of the citizens of Israel, the future of the state of Israel, this is the Israeli government's responsibility.

Much has changed since the end of the Cold War that augurs well for the survival of our nation.

When I decide who to vote for as president, I ask myself who will be best for America and for the world. An important component of my answer involves my assessment of the candidate's willingness and ability to protect Israel's security, since I strongly believe that a strong Israel serves the interests of the United States and of world peace.

The principles that should guide American foreign policy are simple: the world is safer when America leads, only strength ensures peace and freedom, and America must stand with its allies and challenge its adversaries.

I would say national security is work in progress.

President Obama, like every other leader on Earth, is still going to be looking out for national and economic interests. States don't cease to be states overnight just because they get a great visionary as their new president.