--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As we watch the world today, sometimes it…" description: "\"As we watch the world today, sometimes it seems that we're at the mercy of events instead of shaping events. And a strong America's essential to shape ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74d/mitt-romney-268_america_as-we-watch-the-world-today-sometimes-it_847664.png" --- # As we watch the world today, sometimes it seems that we're… ![“As we watch the world today, sometimes it seems that we're at the mercy of events instead of shaping events. And a strong America's essential to shape events, and a strong America, by the way, depends on a strong military.” quote by Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74d/mitt-romney-268_america_as-we-watch-the-world-today-sometimes-it_847664.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74d/mitt-romney-268_america_as-we-watch-the-world-today-sometimes-it_847664.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74d/mitt-romney-268_america_as-we-watch-the-world-today-sometimes-it_847664.png) > “As we watch the world today, sometimes it seems that we're at the mercy of events instead of shaping events. And a strong America's essential to shape events, and a strong America, by the way, depends on a strong military.” [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. America must actively shape events, and a strong military is essential for that capability. **In simple terms:** America should shape events, backed by a strong military. Key Takeaway Strengthen military to shape destiny. Themes national security military strength leadership policy Mood assertive patriotic Type political strategic When to use this quote - Defense planning - foreign policy debates - national emergencies Key Concepts Power deterrence strategic influence Questions to Reflect On - Is a strong military always the best tool? - How can civilian leadership complement military power? A Different Perspective May ignore diplomatic alternatives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Mercy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mercy/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Shapes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shapes/) [Strong america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-america/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-today/) ## Related quotes > [I have never lost faith in America's essential goodness and greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-have-never-lost-faith-in-america-s-essential-goodness-and-greatness/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [In order to be able to fulfill our role in the world, America must be strong. America must lead. And for that to happen,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/in-order-to-be-able-to-fulfill-our-role-in-the-world-america-must-be/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [Having strength, having a strong military, is the ally of peace. Exercising that strength through military action is not always necessary if you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/having-strength-having-a-strong-military-is-the-ally-of-peace/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [The world relies upon, and America must rely upon, a strong military.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/the-world-relies-upon-and-america-must-rely-upon-a-strong-military/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [Only a strong America can guarantee a peaceful world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-cook/only-a-strong-america-can-guarantee-a-peaceful-world/) Paul Cook > [This is a perilous time, and more than ever, the world needs a united and strong America. If, God forbid, we live to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-voight/this-is-a-perilous-time-and-more-than-ever-the-world-needs-a-united/) [Jon Voight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-voight/) > [America remains the one indispensable nation. And the world needs a strong America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/america-remains-the-one-indispensable-nation-and-the-world-needs-a/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [When families are strong, America is strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/when-families-are-strong-america-is-strong/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [The world needs a strong America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mandelbaum/the-world-needs-a-strong-america/) [Michael Mandelbaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mandelbaum/) > [I believe in an America that is on the march - an America respected by all nations, friends and foes alike - an America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/i-believe-in-an-america-that-is-on-the-march-an-america-respected-by/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [From education to broadband, from building roads and bridges to supporting the military, Barack Obama is delivering for North Carolina. And he is delivering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bev-perdue/from-education-to-broadband-from-building-roads-and-bridges-to/) [Bev Perdue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bev-perdue/) > [Strong teeth for a strong America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vermin-supreme/strong-teeth-for-a-strong-america/) [Vermin Supreme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vermin-supreme/) > [“It goes right back to the idea of the Power of Positive Thinking, which is so strong in America because it fits in so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/it-goes-right-back-to-the-idea-of-the-power-of-positive-thinking/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [Years ago I was asked this question: Do terrorists fear anything? I said, 'I suspect they would fear a morally strong America.' They would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/years-ago-i-was-asked-this-question-do-terrorists-fear-anything-i/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [Not only is a healthy America a strong America - it's vital to our national defense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-e-james/not-only-is-a-healthy-america-a-strong-america-it-s-vital-to-our/) [John E. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-e-james/) ## More by Mitt Romney > [I look at what's happening around the world and I see Iran four years closer to a bomb. I see the Middle East with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-look-at-what-s-happening-around-the-world-and-i-see-iran-four-years/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [I would like to have campaign spending limits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-would-like-to-have-campaign-spending-limits/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [I believe in my Mormon faith, and I endeavor to live by it. My faith is the faith of my fathers - I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-believe-in-my-mormon-faith-and-i-endeavor-to-live-by-it-my-faith-is/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [America's military is second to none in the world. We're blessed with terrific soldiers, and extraordinary technology and intelligence. But the idea of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/america-s-military-is-second-to-none-in-the-world-we-re-blessed-with/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [And a special thank you to the citizens of Massachusetts: You are paying all the taxes, creating all the jobs, raising all the children.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/and-a-special-thank-you-to-the-citizens-of-massachusetts-you-are/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [When I was elected governor of my state, I had a legislature 87 percent Democrat. It was not lost on me that to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/when-i-was-elected-governor-of-my-state-i-had-a-legislature-87/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [I saw the young man over there with eggs Benedict, with hollandaise sauce. And I was going to suggest to you that you serve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-saw-the-young-man-over-there-with-eggs-benedict-with-hollandaise/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [I've been a hunter pretty much all my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-ve-been-a-hunter-pretty-much-all-my-life/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [I think Mitt Romney has demonstrated repeatedly he has a penchant for - for secrecy, doesn't seem to have any interest in actually showing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-think-mitt-romney-has-demonstrated-repeatedly-he-has-a-penchant-for/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [If I were to offer advice to any president of the United States, it would be this: do whatever you can do to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/if-i-were-to-offer-advice-to-any-president-of-the-united-states-it/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [I was too important to go to Vietnam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-was-too-important-to-go-to-vietnam/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [America has not dictated to other nations. We have freed other nations from dictators.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/america-has-not-dictated-to-other-nations-we-have-freed-other-nations/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [The right course is for the Palestinians and the Israelis to sit down at the table together. The Palestinians need to recognize that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/the-right-course-is-for-the-palestinians-and-the-israelis-to-sit-down/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [If I'm President of the United States, when I'm President of the United States, we will stand with Israel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/if-i-m-president-of-the-united-states-when-i-m-president-of-the/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [President Obama instituted the most anti-growth, anti-investment, anti-jobs measures that we have seen in our lifetime. Now he called his agenda ambitious, I call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/president-obama-instituted-the-most-anti-growth-anti-investment-anti/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) [Explore all 781 Mitt Romney quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. 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