--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The statesmen still say that we should…" description: "\"The statesmen still say that we should not interfere in the internal affairs of other nations and yet it is not possible any longer not to interfere, e..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef1/arthur-hays-sulzberger-27725_interfere_the-statesmen-still-say-that-we-should-n_1237708.png" --- # The statesmen still say that we should not interfere in… ![“The statesmen still say that we should not interfere in the internal affairs of other nations and yet it is not possible any longer not to interfere, even when we do not mean to do so.” quote by Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef1/arthur-hays-sulzberger-27725_interfere_the-statesmen-still-say-that-we-should-n_1237708.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef1/arthur-hays-sulzberger-27725_interfere_the-statesmen-still-say-that-we-should-n_1237708.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef1/arthur-hays-sulzberger-27725_interfere_the-statesmen-still-say-that-we-should-n_1237708.png) > “The statesmen still say that we should not interfere in the internal affairs of other nations and yet it is not possible any longer not to interfere, even when we do not mean to do so.” [Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He notes that non‑interference is impossible; nations inevitably affect each other. **In simple terms:** Non‑interference is unrealistic. Key Takeaway Accept interconnectedness in foreign policy. Themes politics interdependence ethics Mood cautious analytical Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - diplomatic negotiations - international aid - trade agreements Key Concepts sovereignty globalization realpolitik Questions to Reflect On - When should a nation intervene? - What are the costs of inaction? A Different Perspective Idealistic non‑interference ignores practical realities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Internal affairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internal-affairs/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Statesmen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/statesmen/) ## Related quotes > [It is curious that we pay statesmen for what they say, not for what they do; and judge of them from what they do,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/it-is-curious-that-we-pay-statesmen-for-what-they-say-not-for-what/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [I am confident my Hindutva face will be an asset when dealing with foreign affairs with other nations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/i-am-confident-my-hindutva-face-will-be-an-asset-when-dealing-with/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [I believe we are going to have to prepare ourselves for the difficult and patient task of outgrowing rigid and intransigent nationalism, and work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/i-believe-we-are-going-to-have-to-prepare-ourselves-for-the-difficult/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Not everyone likes the stable, gradual rise of our country. There are some who are using the democratic ideology to interfere in our internal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/not-everyone-likes-the-stable-gradual-rise-of-our-country-there-are/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [Ambassador Mulford has made wide-ranging intervention in the internal affairs of India. To say the least, it is very unfortunate. It confirms our earlier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-vaughan/ambassador-mulford-has-made-wide-ranging-intervention-in-the-internal/) [Bill Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-vaughan/) > [Why doesn't anyone address the substantive question of why other states blatantly interfere in Israel's internal affairs? Israel does not meddle in the affairs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayelet-shaked/why-doesn-t-anyone-address-the-substantive-question-of-why-other/) [Ayelet Shaked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayelet-shaked/) > [I think all foreigners should stop interfering in the internal affairs of Iraq. Those who want to come and help are welcome. Those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wolfowitz/i-think-all-foreigners-should-stop-interfering-in-the-internal/) [Paul Wolfowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wolfowitz/) > [ \[Maxim\] Litvinov signed his letter not in private capacity but as representative of the state, just as did President \[Franklin\] Roosevelt. Their agreement represents… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stalin/maxim-litvinov-signed-his-letter-not-in-private-capacity-but-as/) [Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stalin/) > [Americans shouldn't start a military attack, and they shouldn't bombard Iran, and they shouldn't interfere with the internal affairs of the country. And the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/americans-shouldn-t-start-a-military-attack-and-they-shouldn-t/) [Shirin Ebadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirin-ebadi/) > [“The police will not let a member of the public report a police officer assaulting a person. Instead, they direct you to internal affairs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-police-will-not-let-a-member-of-the-public-report-a-police/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“While we recognize the deep roots white supremacy has in the consciousness of most white people, we do not believe that only a handful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/love-and-rage/while-we-recognize-the-deep-roots-white-supremacy-has-in-the/) Love and Rage > [Britain has national honor. It would not have allowed Israel to meddle in its internal affairs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayelet-shaked/britain-has-national-honor-it-would-not-have-allowed-israel-to-meddle/) [Ayelet Shaked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayelet-shaked/) > [“Police officers are well known for their aggressive behaviors, search "Police Officer Angry Aggression Theory". I can speak from personal experience that they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/police-officers-are-well-known-for-their-aggressive-behaviors-search/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [The U.N. guards the vital principles entrenched in its charter, notably the sovereign equality of states and the inadmissibility of interference in their internal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shashi-tharoor/the-u-n-guards-the-vital-principles-entrenched-in-its-charter-notably/) [Shashi Tharoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shashi-tharoor/) > [In 1953, the United States played a significant role in orchestrating the overthrow of Iran's popular prime minister, Mohammed Mossadegh. The Eisenhower administration believed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/in-1953-the-united-states-played-a-significant-role-in-orchestrating/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) ## More by Arthur Hays Sulzberger > [Free nations with different histories, economies and a vast amount of stubborn pride will never achieve complete agreement, even when they desire the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hays-sulzberger/free-nations-with-different-histories-economies-and-a-vast-amount-of/) [Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) > [News is so often a report of conflict, an account of problems, a thing of the day and even of the minute, that sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hays-sulzberger/news-is-so-often-a-report-of-conflict-an-account-of-problems-a-thing/) [Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) > [Obviously, a man's judgement cannot be better than the information on which he bases it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hays-sulzberger/obviously-a-man-s-judgement-cannot-be-better-than-the-information-on/) [Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) > [Speakers are not supposed to waste time on platitudes, but the capacity of this generation for ignoring the obvious and concentrating on the negative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hays-sulzberger/speakers-are-not-supposed-to-waste-time-on-platitudes-but-the/) [Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) > [Freedom cannot be trifled with. You cannot surrender it for security unless in a state of war, and then you must guard carefully the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hays-sulzberger/freedom-cannot-be-trifled-with-you-cannot-surrender-it-for-security/) [Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) > [I am a non Zionist because the Jew, in seeking a homeland of his own, seems to me to be giving up something of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hays-sulzberger/i-am-a-non-zionist-because-the-jew-in-seeking-a-homeland-of-his-own/) [Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) > [Freedom of the press, or, to be more precise, the benefit of freedom of the press, belongs to everyone – to the citizen as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hays-sulzberger/freedom-of-the-press-or-to-be-more-precise-the-benefit-of-freedom-of/) [Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) > [What Ottawa and Washington used to think about Turkey or Iran was not very important because we really didn't think much about either, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hays-sulzberger/what-ottawa-and-washington-used-to-think-about-turkey-or-iran-was-not/) [Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) > [The United States can tell you all about what's wrong with the British, to say nothing of the Russians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hays-sulzberger/the-united-states-can-tell-you-all-about-what-s-wrong-with-the/) [Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) > [ We \[journalists\] tell the public which way the cat is jumping. The public will take care of the cat. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hays-sulzberger/we-journalists-tell-the-public-which-way-the-cat-is-jumping-the/) [Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) > [I look askance at any movement which assists in making the peacemaker among nations merely a national warrior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hays-sulzberger/i-look-askance-at-any-movement-which-assists-in-making-the-peacemaker/) [Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) > [All nations are more tolerant of their own mistakes and weaknesses than of the mistakes and weaknesses of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hays-sulzberger/all-nations-are-more-tolerant-of-their-own-mistakes-and-weaknesses/) [Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) > [For eleven months and maybe about twenty days each year, we concentrate upon the shortcomings of others, but for a few days at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hays-sulzberger/for-eleven-months-and-maybe-about-twenty-days-each-year-we/) [Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) > [Obviously, a man's judgement cannot be better than the information on which he has based it. Give him the truth and he may still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hays-sulzberger/obviously-a-man-s-judgement-cannot-be-better-than-the-information-on-2/) [Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) > [We tell the public which way the cat is jumping. The public will take care of the cat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hays-sulzberger/we-tell-the-public-which-way-the-cat-is-jumping-the-public-will-take/) [Arthur Hays Sulzberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) [Explore all 20 Arthur Hays Sulzberger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hays-sulzberger/) ## More Interfere quotes > [If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-will-not-interfere-with-our-thought-but-will-act-entirely-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [As long as the state permits itself to interfere in the affairs of literature, literature has the right to interfere with the affairs of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-brodsky/as-long-as-the-state-permits-itself-to-interfere-in-the-affairs-of/) [Joseph Brodsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-brodsky/) > [The voice of the natural world would be, "Could you please give us space and leave us alone to get along with our own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-goodall/the-voice-of-the-natural-world-would-be-could-you-please-give-us/) [Jane Goodall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-goodall/) > [Not everyone likes the stable, gradual rise of our country. There are some who are using the democratic ideology to interfere in our internal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/not-everyone-likes-the-stable-gradual-rise-of-our-country-there-are/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [Emotional Literacy means being able to recognise what you are feeling, so that it doesn't interfere with thinking. It becomes another dimension to draw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susie-orbach/emotional-literacy-means-being-able-to-recognise-what-you-are-feeling/) [Susie Orbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susie-orbach/) > [More often than not, the belief that you are bad contributes to the "bad" behavior. Change and learning occur most readily when you (a)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/more-often-than-not-the-belief-that-you-are-bad-contributes-to-the/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [People's opinions don't interfere with me. 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Our prayers can be answered in ways which we do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilbur-smith/sometimes-it-is-best-for-men-not-to-attempt-to-interfere-with-destiny/) [Wilbur Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilbur-smith/) > [I refuse to buy from anybody anything however nice or beautiful if it interferes with my growth or injures those whom Nature has made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-refuse-to-buy-from-anybody-anything-however-nice-or-beautiful-if-it/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [There are those who say that trees shade the garden too much, and interfere with the growth of the vegetables. There may be something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dudley-warner/there-are-those-who-say-that-trees-shade-the-garden-too-much-and/) [Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/) > [God is a spirit. 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