--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Frankly, I do not like the idea of…" description: "\"Frankly, I do not like the idea of conversations to define the term \"unconditional surrender.\"The German people can have dinned into their ears what I ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0cc/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_christmas-eve_frankly-i-do-not-like-the-idea-of-conver_2057597.jpg" --- # Frankly, I do not like the idea of conversations to define… ![“Frankly, I do not like the idea of conversations to define the term "unconditional surrender."The German people can have dinned into their ears what I said in my Christmas Eve speech--in effect, that we have no thought of destroying the German people and that we want them to live through the…” quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0cc/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_christmas-eve_frankly-i-do-not-like-the-idea-of-conver_2057597.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0cc/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_christmas-eve_frankly-i-do-not-like-the-idea-of-conver_2057597.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0cc/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_christmas-eve_frankly-i-do-not-like-the-idea-of-conver_2057597.jpg) > “Frankly, I do not like the idea of conversations to define the term "unconditional surrender."The German people can have dinned into their ears what I said in my Christmas Eve speech--in effect, that we have no thought of destroying the German people and that we want them to live through the generations like other European peoples on condition, of course, that they get rid of their present philosophy of conquest.” [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Roosevelt rejects the notion of “unconditional surrender” for Germany, emphasizing a future where Germans live peacefully under a new, non‑aggressive philosophy. **In simple terms:** He wants a peaceful Germany, not destroyed, but reformed. Key Takeaway Promote a post‑war peace that reshapes German ideology. Themes peace post‑war reconstruction political philosophy reconciliation Mood hopeful strategic Type political visionary When to use this quote - diplomacy - war aftermath - education reform - cultural transformation Key Concepts unconditional surrender ideological change future generations Questions to Reflect On - What steps ensure lasting peace after war? - How can a former enemy be integrated into the international community? A Different Perspective A strict surrender could foster resentment and future conflict. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christmas eve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas-eve/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conditions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conditions/) [Conquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conquest/) [Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation/) [Courses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courses/) [Destroying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroying/) [Destroying German](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroying-german-3908494/) [Ears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ears/) [Effects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effects/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) [Surrender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surrender/) [Surrender German](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surrender-german-3908493/) [Term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/term/) [Term Unconditional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/term-unconditional-2576356/) [Unconditional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unconditional/) [Unconditional Surrender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unconditional-surrender-466710/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [“People tend to forget that what they did was for themselves, perhaps unconditional is just another term because when it's unconditional there ain't me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/komal-paudyal/people-tend-to-forget-that-what-they-did-was-for-themselves-perhaps/) [Komal Paudyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/komal-paudyal/) > [As soon as you learn to never give up, you have to learn the power and wisdom of unconditional surrender, and that one doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kristofferson/as-soon-as-you-learn-to-never-give-up-you-have-to-learn-the-power-and/) [Kris Kristofferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kristofferson/) > [“Soul-to-soul contact sweeps through, like a tsunami, leaving in its wake just this: unconditional surrender and overwhelming gentleness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-nadel/soul-to-soul-contact-sweeps-through-like-a-tsunami-leaving-in-its/) [Laurie Nadel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-nadel/) > [Surely the gospel evokes unconditional surrender of all that we are and all that we have to all that He is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/surely-the-gospel-evokes-unconditional-surrender-of-all-that-we-are/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [As to the war with Japan, the President had already received my memorandum in general as to the possibility of getting a substantial unconditional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-l-stimson/as-to-the-war-with-japan-the-president-had-already-received-my/) [Henry L. Stimson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-l-stimson/) > [The Japanese government has accepted the notion that Japan is the loser, and it appears to be going to accept unconditional surrender. Such a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hideki-tojo/the-japanese-government-has-accepted-the-notion-that-japan-is-the/) [Hideki Tojo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hideki-tojo/) > [Life, as we all know, is conflict, and man, being part of life, is himself an expression of conflict. If he recognizes the fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/life-as-we-all-know-is-conflict-and-man-being-part-of-life-is-himself/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [Never give up, which is the lesson I learned from boxing. As soon as you learn to never give up, you have to learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kristofferson/never-give-up-which-is-the-lesson-i-learned-from-boxing-as-soon-as/) [Kris Kristofferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kristofferson/) > [I think that this is the first war in history that on the morrow the victors sued for peace and the vanquished called for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abba-eban/i-think-that-this-is-the-first-war-in-history-that-on-the-morrow-the/) [Abba Eban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abba-eban/) > [The first thing a man must do if he desires to be used in the Lord's work, is to make an unconditional surrender of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/the-first-thing-a-man-must-do-if-he-desires-to-be-used-in-the-lord-s/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [“To make absolute, unconditional surrender to the woman one loves is to break every bond save the desire not to lose her, which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/to-make-absolute-unconditional-surrender-to-the-woman-one-loves-is-to/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [Consecration thus constitutes the only unconditional surrender which is also a total victory!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/consecration-thus-constitutes-the-only-unconditional-surrender-which/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [More than an end to war, we want an end to the beginnings of all wars. Yes, an end to this brutal, inhuman and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/more-than-an-end-to-war-we-want-an-end-to-the-beginnings-of-all-wars/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [For every advance that the Japanese have made since they started their frenzied career of conquest, they have had to pay a very heavy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/for-every-advance-that-the-japanese-have-made-since-they-started/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [“I took ten days off and by 11 o’clock on the first morning I had drunk fourteen cups of coffee, read all the newspapers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-clarkson/i-took-ten-days-off-and-by-11-o-clock-on-the-first-morning-i-had/) [Jeremy Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-clarkson/) ## More by Franklin D. Roosevelt > [In a democratic nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/in-a-democratic-nation-power-must-be-linked-with-responsibility-and/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Inquisitiveness is the most useful talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/inquisitiveness-is-the-most-useful-talent/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > ['Peace on earth, good will toward men' - democracy must cling to that message. For it is my deep conviction that democracy cannot live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/peace-on-earth-good-will-toward-men-democracy-must-cling-to-that/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [I have seen war ... I hate war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/i-have-seen-war-i-hate-war/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [I have seen war. I have seen war on land and sea. I have seen blood running from the wounded. I have seen men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/i-have-seen-war-i-have-seen-war-on-land-and-sea-i-have-seen-blood/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [All of our people all over the country-except the pure-blooded Indians-are immigrants or descendants of immigrants, including even those who came over here on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/all-of-our-people-all-over-the-country-except-the-pure-blooded/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [They have given their sons to the military services. They have stoked the furnaces and hurried the factory wheels. They have made the planes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/they-have-given-their-sons-to-the-military-services-they-have-stoked/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [On the European Front the most important development of the past year has been the crushing offensive of the Great Armies of Russia...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/on-the-european-front-the-most-important-development-of-the-past-year/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The core of our defense is the faith we have in the institutions we defend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-core-of-our-defense-is-the-faith-we-have-in-the-institutions-we/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [War is a contagion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/war-is-a-contagion/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Labor Day symbolizes our determination to achieve an economic freedom for the average man which will give his political freedom realty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/labor-day-symbolizes-our-determination-to-achieve-an-economic-freedom/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Too often in recent history liberal governments have been wrecked on rocks of loose fiscal policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/too-often-in-recent-history-liberal-governments-have-been-wrecked-on/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The frontier of America is on the Rhine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-frontier-of-america-is-on-the-rhine/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/repetition-does-not-transform-a-lie-into-a-truth/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The future lies with those wise political leaders who realize that the great public is interested more in Government than in politics. The growing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-future-lies-with-those-wise-political-leaders-who-realize-that/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) [Explore all 521 Franklin D. Roosevelt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) ## More Christmas eve quotes > [“I took ten days off and by 11 o’clock on the first morning I had drunk fourteen cups of coffee, read all the newspapers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-clarkson/i-took-ten-days-off-and-by-11-o-clock-on-the-first-morning-i-had/) [Jeremy Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-clarkson/) > [“I stopped keeping an eye out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve because, when I was five, my mother told me that Santa was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/i-stopped-keeping-an-eye-out-for-santa-claus-on-christmas-eve-because/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“Out here, without the clouds of cigar smoke, there was nothing to compete with the scent of the rich wood panelling, the preparation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anouska-knight/out-here-without-the-clouds-of-cigar-smoke-there-was-nothing-to/) [Anouska Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anouska-knight/) > [“‎He decided quite suddenly, having kept fairly good record on the calendar, that tomorrow was Christmas Eve, and zombies be damned. The Christmas lights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-r-lansdale/he-decided-quite-suddenly-having-kept-fairly-good-record-on-the/) [Joe R. Lansdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-r-lansdale/) > [“Returning to his Manhattan town house on Christmas Eve, Grant, sixty-one, pivoted to hand the driver a holiday tip when he slipped on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-chernow/returning-to-his-manhattan-town-house-on-christmas-eve-grant-sixty/) [Ron Chernow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-chernow/) > [Christmas, shouldn't be just about gifts, it should be about love, forgiveness, kindness, compassion, to give and be someone's angel when they need it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-j-cowell/christmas-shouldn-t-be-just-about-gifts-it-should-be-about-love/) [Larry J Cowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-j-cowell/) > [My worst Christmas ever was in 1987 when Santa brought me and my sister a dose of chicken-pox. And my worst present ever was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophia-di-martino/my-worst-christmas-ever-was-in-1987-when-santa-brought-me-and-my/) [Sophia Di Martino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophia-di-martino/) > [“Well, I believe in the soul, the cock, the pussy, the small of a woman's back, the hangin' curveball, high fiber, good scotch, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-shelton/well-i-believe-in-the-soul-the-cock-the-pussy-the-small-of-a-woman-s/) [Ron Shelton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-shelton/) > [“Ramirez and I wanted to spend our first Christmas Eve together with just a nice, romantic, quiet evening at home.” “I never promised to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gemma-halliday/ramirez-and-i-wanted-to-spend-our-first-christmas-eve-together-with/) [Gemma Halliday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gemma-halliday/) > [Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. 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Like Christmas everywhere, it's a very family-centered holiday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/the-swedish-christmas-is-definitely-unique-even-throughout/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [It's quite a famous story that takes place on Christmas Eve, and the Germans, French, and Scottish are trying to make peace one night…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-kruger/it-s-quite-a-famous-story-that-takes-place-on-christmas-eve-and-the/) [Diane Kruger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-kruger/) > [“My grandfather was a duck trapper He could do it with just dragnets and ropes My grandmother could sew new dresses out of old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/my-grandfather-was-a-duck-trapper-he-could-do-it-with-just-dragnets/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [Opening presents at midnight on Christmas Eve - midnight! As soon as it turns to Christmas Day, we're opening those gifts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frankie-grande/opening-presents-at-midnight-on-christmas-eve-midnight-as-soon-as-it/) [Frankie Grande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frankie-grande/) > [Christ was born in the first century, yet he belongs to all centuries. He was born a Jew, yet He belongs to all races.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-truett/christ-was-born-in-the-first-century-yet-he-belongs-to-all-centuries/) [George W Truett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-truett/) [Browse all 244 Christmas eve quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas-eve/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Frankly, I do not like the idea of conversations to define the term \"unconditional surrender.\"The German people can have dinned into their ears what I said in my Christmas Eve speech--in effect, that we have no thought of destroying the German people and that we want them to live through the generations like other European peoples on condition, of course, that they get rid of their present philosophy of conquest.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Franklin D. 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