--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: America's strength is not our diversity…" description: "\"America's strength is not our diversity; our strength is our ability to unite people of different backgrounds around common principles. A common langua..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bb/ernest-istook-20942_ability_america-s-strength-is-not-our-diversity_2175306.jpg" --- # America's strength is not our diversity; our strength is… ![“America's strength is not our diversity; our strength is our ability to unite people of different backgrounds around common principles. A common language is necessary to reach that goal.” quote by Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bb/ernest-istook-20942_ability_america-s-strength-is-not-our-diversity_2175306.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bb/ernest-istook-20942_ability_america-s-strength-is-not-our-diversity_2175306.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bb/ernest-istook-20942_ability_america-s-strength-is-not-our-diversity_2175306.jpg) > “America's strength is not our diversity; our strength is our ability to unite people of different backgrounds around common principles. A common language is necessary to reach that goal.” [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. National strength comes from uniting diverse peoples under shared principles, not merely from diversity itself. **In simple terms:** Unity, shared values, than diversity alone. Key Takeaway Focus on common goals to unite. Themes diversity unity values Mood reflective optimistic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - policy debates - multicultural workplaces - community events Key Concepts social cohesion political theory Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance unity with respecting differences? - What principles can bridge cultural gaps? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on unity may suppress minority voices. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [America Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america-strength-1550650/) [Backgrounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backgrounds/) [Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common/) [Common language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-language/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Different backgrounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-backgrounds/) [Diversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diversity/) [Diversity Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diversity-strength-573685/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) [Strength Diversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength-diversity-4102424/) ## Related quotes > [My father was the son of immigrants, and he grew up bilingual, but English is what my father taught me and what he spoke…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/my-father-was-the-son-of-immigrants-and-he-grew-up-bilingual-but/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) > [For nearly two hundred years, our nation has derived its strength from the diversity of its people and of their beliefs. That strength has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/for-nearly-two-hundred-years-our-nation-has-derived-its-strength-from/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [We are all American. If we believe that we are Americans, if we believe that what binds us together is what we have in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/we-are-all-american-if-we-believe-that-we-are-americans-if-we-believe/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) > [ Where we have a different background \[with Hillary Clinton\] on this issue is we differ on the war in Iraq, which created barbaric organizations… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/where-we-have-a-different-background-with-hillary-clinton-on-this/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [We should build respect and understanding between the diverse cultures of the world. We should help construct communities where people of different backgrounds can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-byrne/we-should-build-respect-and-understanding-between-the-diverse/) [Alexandra Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-byrne/) > [Axl and I came from completely different backgrounds. Because of that we made an interesting pair trying to figure each other out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/slash/axl-and-i-came-from-completely-different-backgrounds-because-of-that/) [Slash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/slash/) > [In Texas, you just learn just be nice to people and respect them, and respect where they're coming from. And understand people have different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-spieth/in-texas-you-just-learn-just-be-nice-to-people-and-respect-them-and/) [Jordan Spieth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-spieth/) > [In the globalized world that is ours, maybe we are moving towards a global village, but that global village brings in a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lakhdar-brahimi/in-the-globalized-world-that-is-ours-maybe-we-are-moving-towards-a/) [Lakhdar Brahimi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lakhdar-brahimi/) > [For me, you go to university to meet lots of different people from different backgrounds. I think that's one of the most important things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-radcliffe/for-me-you-go-to-university-to-meet-lots-of-different-people-from/) [Daniel Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-radcliffe/) > [In addition, black folks need to attend green conferences, too. We just self-segregate and don't go. They might even waive your fee if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/in-addition-black-folks-need-to-attend-green-conferences-too-we-just/) [Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/) > [It's really important to say this. Often the faith schools were founded before the state provided education. I want good education in this country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-miliband/it-s-really-important-to-say-this-often-the-faith-schools-were/) [Ed Miliband](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-miliband/) > [Following 25 children for the TV series 'Child of Our Time' has been extraordinary. The BBC's original plan was to commemorate the new millennium.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-winston/following-25-children-for-the-tv-series-child-of-our-time-has-been/) [Robert Winston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-winston/) > [It's really amazing that two people from such different backgrounds and geographical origins ever got together. That was perhaps part of the attraction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desi-arnaz/it-s-really-amazing-that-two-people-from-such-different-backgrounds/) [Desi Arnaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desi-arnaz/) > [I believe very strongly in the value of having a diverse team around me that comes from very different backgrounds and different points of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-rosenfeld/i-believe-very-strongly-in-the-value-of-having-a-diverse-team-around/) [Irene Rosenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-rosenfeld/) > [When it comes right down to it, people are quite similar. We may come from different backgrounds, cultures, and economic circumstances, and our attitudes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-russell-ballard/when-it-comes-right-down-to-it-people-are-quite-similar-we-may-come/) [M. Russell Ballard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-russell-ballard/) ## More by Ernest Istook > [There are many alternatives to embryonic stem cell research, alternatives with great potential. We need to support these and oppose creating life for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/there-are-many-alternatives-to-embryonic-stem-cell-research/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) > [The motives of these parents vary, many parents don't like the curriculum being taught to their kids, or are wary of the threat of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/the-motives-of-these-parents-vary-many-parents-don-t-like-the/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) > [It's good that the first half of the speech emphasized freedom, because George W. Bush has been the global champion for freedom. As he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/it-s-good-that-the-first-half-of-the-speech-emphasized-freedom/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) > [English should be our official language. Reading and speaking English are requirements to become a citizen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/english-should-be-our-official-language-reading-and-speaking-english/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) > [We need uniform protection of traditional marriage. You can't have different definitions on something as fundamental as marriage. The Marriage Protection Amendment is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/we-need-uniform-protection-of-traditional-marriage-you-can-t-have/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) > [There's a lot of exaggerated talk about CAFTA, but it's actually a fairly routine trade agreement. Although it involves fairly small nations, they're still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/there-s-a-lot-of-exaggerated-talk-about-cafta-but-it-s-actually-a/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) > [We cannot sacrifice innocent human life now for vague and exaggerated promises of medical treatments thirty of forty years from now. There are ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/we-cannot-sacrifice-innocent-human-life-now-for-vague-and-exaggerated/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) > [The American people do not want people thumbing their nose at the law. It undercuts the very fabric of our society and the system…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/the-american-people-do-not-want-people-thumbing-their-nose-at-the-law/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) > [Americans should be free to recognize our religious heritage; doing that is not the same as creating a government-sponsored religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/americans-should-be-free-to-recognize-our-religious-heritage-doing/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) > [I remind everyone: Whether you school them at home or send them to school, you as a parent have the responsibility to make sure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/i-remind-everyone-whether-you-school-them-at-home-or-send-them-to/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) > [Out of control judicial activism threatens traditional marriage in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/out-of-control-judicial-activism-threatens-traditional-marriage-in/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) > [Instead of this confusion, we need the unifying force of an official language, English, which is the language of success in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/instead-of-this-confusion-we-need-the-unifying-force-of-an-official/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) > [Thousands of present day students, like many of our Founding Fathers, are being taught at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/thousands-of-present-day-students-like-many-of-our-founding-fathers/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) > [Education begins at home and I applaud the parents who recognize that they - not someone else - must take responsibility to assure that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/education-begins-at-home-and-i-applaud-the-parents-who-recognize-that/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) > [The courts are using the First Amendment to attack religion, when they should be using it to protect religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-istook/the-courts-are-using-the-first-amendment-to-attack-religion-when-they/) [Ernest Istook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) [Explore all 30 Ernest Istook quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-istook/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "America's strength is not our diversity; our strength is our ability to unite people of different backgrounds around common principles. 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