Wendell Willkie Quotes

You [America] may be larger, and we [Britain] may be older. You may be the stronger; sometime we may be the wiser.

We must endeavor to forget our former love for them [the British] and to hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

In international relations, in foreign policy, a great deal has to do with historical circumstances, a great deal has to do with the sense and perception of people.

On one side, citizens have great respect for the United States; they have a great feeling of friendship. That is solid. But in the opposition and in the political arena I often find criticism of the closeness of relations with the United States. That is a reality.

The best thing we can do if we want the Russians to let us be Americans is to let the Russians be Russian.

The British have never felt America to be a foreign land.

Liberia and the United States are bound together by history and values.

France does not pretend to base her interests on disregard for the interests of others. France possesses a special standing in Morocco.

I do not believe that is our destiny to being engulfed into a Republican union (with the United States), renovated and inflamed with the wine of victory, of which he now drinks so freely...

Though Great Britain could do perfectly well without her colonies, and though on every principle of morality and justice she ought to consent to their separation, should the time come when, after full trial of the best form of union, they deliberately desire to be dissevered—there are strong reasons for maintaining the present slight bond of connection, so long as not disagreeable to the feelings of either party.

The People of the United States are kindred of the People of Great Britain. With all our distinct national interests, objects, and aspirations, we are conscious that our moral strength is largely derived from that relationship, and we do not deceive ourselves when we suppose that, by constantly cherishing cordial friendship and sympathy with the other branches of the family to which we belong, we impart to them not less strength than we derive from the same connection.

On you, it primarily rests whether Ireland shall remain an integral portion of a great empire, sharing in its glory … or whether … Ireland shall become the focus and the center of foreign intrigue and deadly conspiracy.

If our founding fathers wanted us to care about the rest of the world, the wouldn't have declared their independence from it.

I am always getting messages that I am paid by America, that I work for America, that I am connected with CIA... blah blah blah. I am not working for America, I am working for my country's good, but America is not an enemy for me.

We've always had this fantastic relationship with America.

We do not covet anything from any nation except their respect.

We really believe our national interests are identical with European interests.

Historically, we were always complaining about others interfering in our domestic and national issues.

Why on earth do we want closer connection with England? We have little in common with English people except our language. We are fast becoming an entirely different people.

Our alliances should be understood as a means to expand our influence, not as a constraint on our power. The expansion of democracy and freedom in the world should be a shared interest and value with all nations.

Teaching the history of the British Empire links in with that of the world: for better and for worse, the Empire made us what we are, forming our national identity. A country that does not understand its own history is unlikely to respect that of others.

I will tell you that the special relationship that America has with the Israeli people transcends any of the politics.

Japan is a great nation. It should begin to act like one.

Great Britain has lost an empire and has not yet found a role.

Just as a man would not cherish living in a body other than his own, so do nations not like to live under other nations, however noble and great the latter may be.