Jean Giraudoux Quotes

Nations whose nationalism is destroyed are subject to ruin.

Perhaps one day we will do “everything that we can to protect our people and the timeless values that we stand for.” But today, we won’t even honestly describe the motivations of our enemies. And in the act of lying to ourselves, we continue to pay lip service to the very delusions that empower them.

Most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it.

Homely truth is unpalatable.

The truth that seems discouraging does in reality only transform the courage of those strong enough to accept it; and, in any event, a truth that disheartens, because it is true, is still of far more value than the most stimulating of falsehoods.

Dreams? If only they had been! But I don't need dreams, Doctor, that's why I hardly have them—because I have this life instead. With me it all happens in broad daylight!

Better to accept the wretched truth than struggle, twisting to make a wish a reality.

I've managed to stay alive out here in the Ruin because I'm a realist. I allow the truth to be the truth, no matter how much I might want it to be something else.

All the dead bolts, pulled shades and hidden knives in the world couldn't protect you from the truth.

A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp sting behind it.

By and by when each nation has 20,000 battleships and 5,000,000 soldiers we shall all be safe and the wisdom of statesmanship will stand confirmed.

I have a hard time with historians because they idolize the truth. The truth is not uplifting; it destroys. I could tell most of the secretaries in the church office building that they are ugly and fat. That would be the truth, but it would hurt and destroy them. Historians should tell only that part of the truth that is inspiring and uplifting.

The sad truth is the truth is sad.

Few secret undertakings ever did any nation any good.

Nations which don't find their national identities will be preyed upon by other nations.

Hillary Clinton's exposed more of our top secret documents than any Secretary of State in history.

Better the hard truth, I say, than the comforting fantasy.

I agree that we have to have the toughest screening and vetting that we can have, but I don't think a halt is necessary. What we have to do is put all of our resources through the Department of Homeland Security, through the State Department, through our intelligence agencies, and we have to have an increased vetting and screening .

See fantasy is what people want, but reality is what they need. And I just retired from the fantasy part.

The Orlando terrorist may be dead. But the virus that poisoned his mind remains very much alive. And we must attack it with clear eyes, steady hands, unwavering determination and pride in our country and our values.

That's the problem with truth. The truth is relentless. It won't leave you alone. It keeps creeping up on you from every side, showing you what's really so. That can he annoying.

War is a matter of vital importance to the state.

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be ... The People cannot be safe without information. When the press is free, and every man is able to read, all is safe.

An illusion which makes me happy is worth a verity which drags me to the ground.

The truth usually has a slightly ugly look.