Carlos Fuentes Quotes

The United States is very good at understanding itself, and very bad at understanding others.

I have a great relationship with the Mexican people.

We're living with the Arabs; we have to understand them... Through knowing the Arabs, you know yourself better.

I don't go to different countries to criticise their political system and tell them what they should be doing - what do I know?

If Americans knew how to deal with other people, they could bring peace to the world. Alas, they have not learned enough yet. The true American feels that he is 100 percent welcome anywhere he goes.

I don't think we should do anything that should make the people hate the American people more.

The two cultures of East and West are very different, and the priorities are very different. So when you understand that - if you are from this side or this side - when you understand that the other is different than you, and you respect these differences, you can build communication.

Now it is evident that a little insight into the customs of every people is necessary to insure a kindly communication; this, joined with patience and kindness, will seldom fail with the natives of the interior.

I always felt that if countries knew each other better, there would be less war. Often, conflict goes with demonizing other countries and cultures.

Even when well translated. can we really understand what other cultures are talking about?

Believing in each culture's right to be understood by the other party without any form of falseness or distortion is paramount.

Learn to understand the culture of those that you wish to influence.

China is a company of contradictions. Nothing is what it appears to be. We have to be extremely respectful when we go overseas.

I understand different cultures because I have travelled a lot.

We gain no wisdom by imposing our way on others.

Acknowledged differences may create mutual respect, but hazy misunderstandings bring forth nothing but prejudice and rejection.

The spirit of seeking understanding through personal contact with people of other nations and other cultures deserves the respect and support of all.

One of the most effective ways to learn about oneself is by taking seriously the cultures of others. It forces you to pay attention to those details of life which differentiate them from you.

People have to start talking to know more about other cultures and to understand each other.

I think that part of being a good journalist, part of being an awake member of the world you're in, is to view yourself as an outsider, and I always have, to some degree.

I think Americans should have a policy of love. That should be the foreign policy, love. Export Love.

I had a hard time convincing students that they were going to North Africa to understand the North Africans, not to understand themselves.

Change begins with understanding and understanding begins by identifying oneself with another person: in a word, empathy. The arts enable us to put ourselves in the minds, eyes, ears and hearts of other human beings.

Before I got into politics, I wanted to be a missionary to people in the Middle East. I thought it would be better to speak with them in their own language.

Americans are very easygoing people. If the added attention and great visibility that I have been able to generate can help open doors and expose more Chinese to American values and the American way of life, that is great.