Adel Al-Jubeir Quotes

If any ask me what a free government is, I answer, that for any practical purpose, it is what the people think so, and that they, and not I, are the natural, lawful, and competent judges of the matter.

I shall on all subjects have a policy to recommend, but none to enforce against the will of the people.

In the 1999 resolution regarding Taiwan's future passed by the Democratic Progressive Party, it is stated very clearly that any change to the status quo of Taiwan must be decided by the people of Taiwan through referenda.

Let the people think they govern and they will be governed.

I feel that the majority of people should decide for themselves what kind of government they want.

Progressive change in this country has never come from above.

For politics to change … culture must change too --- and that takes much more than dispatching troops, holding elections, and writing constitutions.

Change is debilitating when it is done to us. Change is exhilarating when it is done by us.

Those wanting to improve democracy in their countries should not wait for permission.

In our system of government, nobody has the last word except the people.

The United State can no longer allow its Arab allies to ward off democratic reform.

The wind of change is blowing through the continent. Whether we like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact.

Constant, patient reform—the only kind of reform compatible with Democratic stability—is unsatisfying.

The excellence of the West lies not in its accomplishments in the sciences, arts and technology, but rather, these accomplishments are the outgrowth of the West's respect for the human being, the recognition of his individuality, the liberty it has granted him, and the establishment of government in the service of the people—the government belongs to the people, and they do not belong to it. This is a qualitative change, unprecedented in human history

The people should choose whom they please to govern them.

Yesterday we obeyed kings and bent our necks before emperors. But today we kneel only to truth, follow only beauty, and obey only love

If we always looked to contemporary public opinion we would be a slaveholding British colony today.

Once a citizen feels he is not powerless, he can aspire for more change. ... First, the Web democratized commerce, and then it democratized media, and now it is democratizing democracy.

… every nation, when able and agreed, has a right to set up over themselves any form of government which to them may appear most conducive to their common welfare.

We all know that in democracies, some of these [necessary] reforms are unpopular.

While a law is in force it should be lived up to. You have a right to try to change it, and if you can persuade the majority that it should be changed then it will be changed. But you must abide by a law until it is changed or you will be flouting the fundamental things that make us a democracy and a law-abiding nation.

Should the people rule?

I would like to see evolution in my country, not revolution. It is much better for us to work together with the government to transform Saudi Arabia for the future.

That is what I want: I want a better Saudi Arabia. I don't see myself as an opposition. I'm not calling for the overthrow of the regime, because I know it's not possible and is too risky, and there is no one to overthrow the regime. I'm just calling for reform of the regime.

I never thought I would see a free South Sudan.