If you are waging peace, you can't be too particular…
“If you are waging peace, you can't be too particular sometimes about the special attitudes that different countries take. We were a young country once, and our whole policy for the first 150 years was, we were neutral. We must not be parsimonious, as long as we are not shooting, we are not spending one tenth as much.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Peaceful foreign policy requires flexibility, not rigid neutrality, and willingness to invest in defense when necessary.
In simple terms: Peace needs adaptable policies.
Key Takeaway
Balance neutrality with strategic spending.
Themes
peace
policy
defense
flexibility
Mood
cautious
strategic
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- government negotiations
- international crises
- budget planning
Key Concepts
realism
strategic planning
Questions to Reflect On
- When should a nation shift from neutrality?
- How to balance spending with peace goals?
A Different Perspective
Risk of over‑militarization.