--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our surest protection against assault…" description: "\"Our surest protection against assault from abroad has been not all our guards, gates and guns, or even our two oceans, but our essential goodness as a ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db7/theodore-c-sorensen-22160_assault_our-surest-protection-against-assault-fr_412750.png" --- # Our surest protection against assault from abroad has been… ![“Our surest protection against assault from abroad has been not all our guards, gates and guns, or even our two oceans, but our essential goodness as a people. Our richest asset has been not our material wealth but our values.” quote by Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db7/theodore-c-sorensen-22160_assault_our-surest-protection-against-assault-fr_412750.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db7/theodore-c-sorensen-22160_assault_our-surest-protection-against-assault-fr_412750.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db7/theodore-c-sorensen-22160_assault_our-surest-protection-against-assault-fr_412750.png) > “Our surest protection against assault from abroad has been not all our guards, gates and guns, or even our two oceans, but our essential goodness as a people. Our richest asset has been not our material wealth but our values.” [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A nation's true defense lies in the moral character of its citizens, not just military might or geography. **In simple terms:** Goodness protects a nation more than weapons. Key Takeaway Cultivate shared values. Themes national security morality citizen responsibility Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical political When to use this quote - education curricula - community service - policy making - public discourse Key Concepts civic virtue collective identity soft power Questions to Reflect On - How can societies nurture essential goodness? - What policies reinforce moral character? A Different Perspective Values alone cannot stop a determined aggressor. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Assault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assault/) [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Material wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/material-wealth/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Protection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protection/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [“Real wealth is more about values than valuables, integrity than income, self-worth than net-worth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sravani-saha-nakhro/real-wealth-is-more-about-values-than-valuables-integrity-than-income/) [Sravani Saha Nakhro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sravani-saha-nakhro/) > [“Diversity is an aspect of human existence that cannot be eradicated by terrorism or war or self-consuming hatred. It can only be conquered by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aberjhani/diversity-is-an-aspect-of-human-existence-that-cannot-be-eradicated/) [Aberjhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aberjhani/) > [Intimacy with God is to be preferred above material wealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-anders/intimacy-with-god-is-to-be-preferred-above-material-wealth/) [Max Anders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-anders/) > [Our culture is hung up on and overemphasises what can be derived from material objects. I think this is something quite new, over the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tino-sehgal/our-culture-is-hung-up-on-and-overemphasises-what-can-be-derived-from/) [Tino Sehgal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tino-sehgal/) > [“Animals are the lower intelligent of creatures, yet God illustrates man as one of them. Why? To demonstrate to us how careless, how thoughtless,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosa-pearl-johnson/animals-are-the-lower-intelligent-of-creatures-yet-god-illustrates/) Rosa Pearl Johnson > [The life of Gautama Buddha illustrates the power of service, compassion and, most importantly, renunciation. He was convinced that material wealth is not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-life-of-gautama-buddha-illustrates-the-power-of-service/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [“Pity me'--the unspoken words upon a nation's lips--'because I am indeed pitiable. I have been deprived of freedom--yes, of course, all that. And of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/pity-me-the-unspoken-words-upon-a-nation-s-lips-because-i-am-indeed/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [Dream big dreams! Others may deprive you of your material wealth and cheat you in a thousand ways, but no man can deprive you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/dream-big-dreams-others-may-deprive-you-of-your-material-wealth-and/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [I think China's view of freedom has to do with material wealth and modernity, and the Dalai's Lama view of freedom is liberation in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/i-think-china-s-view-of-freedom-has-to-do-with-material-wealth-and/) [Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/) > [“I think it has changed things for me and Jemma. I’d be blind not to admit that it’s changed her—that I’ve let that happen,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-kay/i-think-it-has-changed-things-for-me-and-jemma-i-d-be-blind-not-to/) Paula Kay > [Infinitely more important than sharing one's material wealth is sharing the wealth of ourselves-our time and energy, our passion and commitment, and, above all,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-e-simon/infinitely-more-important-than-sharing-one-s-material-wealth-is/) [William E. Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-e-simon/) > [Those who have not found their true wealth, which is the radiant joy of Being and the deep, unshakable peace that comes with it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/those-who-have-not-found-their-true-wealth-which-is-the-radiant-joy/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“Death is the destiny of every man. Why do people fight over power and material wealth. We brought nothing into the world, certainly, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/death-is-the-destiny-of-every-man-why-do-people-fight-over-power-and/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [If we love (the poor) people, we want to identify with them and share with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/if-we-love-the-poor-people-we-want-to-identify-with-them-and-share/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [“We have created a manic world nauseous with the pursuit of material wealth. Many also bear their cross of imagined deprivation, while their fellow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthon-st-maarten/we-have-created-a-manic-world-nauseous-with-the-pursuit-of-material/) [Anthon St. Maarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthon-st-maarten/) ## More by Theodore C. Sorensen > [If we can but tear the blindfold of self-deception from our eyes and loosen the gag of self-denial from our voices, we can restore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/if-we-can-but-tear-the-blindfold-of-self-deception-from-our-eyes-and/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [I'm simply saying that there are advantages in sending a skilled diplomat who can always say, 'I'll get back to you on that, Mr.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/i-m-simply-saying-that-there-are-advantages-in-sending-a-skilled/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [We have convinced over one billlion members of the Islamic faith that we are prejudiced against their religion, that we would deny them freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/we-have-convinced-over-one-billlion-members-of-the-islamic-faith-that/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [The ambassador was never present, but his presence was never absent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/the-ambassador-was-never-present-but-his-presence-was-never-absent/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [We need not renounce the use of conventional force. We will be ready to repel any clear and present danger that poses a genuine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/we-need-not-renounce-the-use-of-conventional-force-we-will-be-ready/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [Public opinion rarely considers the needs of the next generation or the history of the last. It is frequently hampered by myths and misinformation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/public-opinion-rarely-considers-the-needs-of-the-next-generation-or/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [I came from Nebraska, a very middle class family with a progressive father.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/i-came-from-nebraska-a-very-middle-class-family-with-a-progressive/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [Number one, that it is smart to communicate and negotiate with your enemy instead of just waging war with bombs and weapons of mass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/number-one-that-it-is-smart-to-communicate-and-negotiate-with-your/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [We will be safer from terrorist attack only when we have earned the respect of all other nations instead of their fear, respect for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/we-will-be-safer-from-terrorist-attack-only-when-we-have-earned-the/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [I believe in an America in which the fruits of productivity and prosperity are shared by all, by workers as well as owners, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/i-believe-in-an-america-in-which-the-fruits-of-productivity-and/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [With the help of dedicated Americans from our party, every party, and no party at all, I intend to mount that stairway to preach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/with-the-help-of-dedicated-americans-from-our-party-every-party-and/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [Al Gore is not just whistling in the wind. Global warming is for real. Every scientist knows that now, and we are on our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/al-gore-is-not-just-whistling-in-the-wind-global-warming-is-for-real/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [We will always apply the same principles of collective security, prudent caution, and superior weaponry that enabled us to peacefully prevail in the long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/we-will-always-apply-the-same-principles-of-collective-security/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [Now people all across America are starting to believe in America again. We are coming back, back to the heights of greatness, back to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/now-people-all-across-america-are-starting-to-believe-in-america/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [We have contingency plans for war, but none for peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/we-have-contingency-plans-for-war-but-none-for-peace/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) [Explore all 28 Theodore C. Sorensen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) ## More Assault quotes > [In an attempt to hinder, if not altogether halt, the next move of God, Satan has sent forth an army of faultfinding demons against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-frangipane/in-an-attempt-to-hinder-if-not-altogether-halt-the-next-move-of-god/) [Francis Frangipane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-frangipane/) > [There is an all-out assault now on the Christian community in this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/there-is-an-all-out-assault-now-on-the-christian-community-in-this/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I don't know how I can feel safe with Donald Trump, who bragged about sexual assault having the most power of anyone in America,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-pozner/i-don-t-know-how-i-can-feel-safe-with-donald-trump-who-bragged-about/) [Jennifer Pozner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-pozner/) > [At Ohio State University, to avoid being guilty of 'sexual assault' or 'sexual violence,' you and your partner now apparently have to agree on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/at-ohio-state-university-to-avoid-being-guilty-of-sexual-assault-or/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Their problem is not me and the Democrats; their problem is themselves. Who are they? Are they these extreme conservatives who are right-to-life, pro-assault-weapon,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-cuomo/their-problem-is-not-me-and-the-democrats-their-problem-is-themselves/) [Andrew Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-cuomo/) > [I wrapped a movie called 'Zombieland,' in which I was constantly under assault by zombies, then flew to New York, still very much in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/i-wrapped-a-movie-called-zombieland-in-which-i-was-constantly-under/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [When a child hits a child, we call it aggression. When a child hits an adult, we call it hostility. When an adult hits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-a-child-hits-a-child-we-call-it-aggression-when-a-child-hits-an/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm the same guy at that podium preaching to the people on every single song. I'm not doing a dance for you on another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-durst/i-m-the-same-guy-at-that-podium-preaching-to-the-people-on-every/) [Fred Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-durst/) > [That tertiary education is under a sustained assault by a political and - it often seems - social consensus that equates all education with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-self/that-tertiary-education-is-under-a-sustained-assault-by-a-political/) [Will Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-self/) > [The biggest threat to any politician is an artist. Comedians unleashed can do a great deal of damage. David Letterman can do more damage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moriarty/the-biggest-threat-to-any-politician-is-an-artist-comedians-unleashed/) [Michael Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moriarty/) > [George W. Bush and his administration embarked on a full-scale assault on civil liberties, human rights and the rule of law, walking away from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bianca-jagger/george-w-bush-and-his-administration-embarked-on-a-full-scale-assault/) [Bianca Jagger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bianca-jagger/) > [Sexual assault and domestic violence are difficult things to talk about. Talk about them anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariska-hargitay/sexual-assault-and-domestic-violence-are-difficult-things-to-talk/) [Mariska Hargitay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariska-hargitay/) > [One's own self-worth is tied to the worth of the community to which one belongs, which is intimately connected to humanity in general. What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wole-soyinka/one-s-own-self-worth-is-tied-to-the-worth-of-the-community-to-which/) [Wole Soyinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wole-soyinka/) > [Where do find the most persecuted Christians in the world?... in the classrooms of our government schools, where the assault is not upon the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/where-do-find-the-most-persecuted-christians-in-the-world-in-the/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [The present assault upon capital is but the beginning. It will be but a stepping-stone to others, larger and more sweeping, till our political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-present-assault-upon-capital-is-but-the-beginning-it-will-be-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 565 Assault quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assault/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our surest protection against assault from abroad has been not all our guards, gates and guns, or even our two oceans, but our essential goodness as a people. Our richest asset has been not our material wealth but our values.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Theodore C. Sorensen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/our-surest-protection-against-assault-from-abroad-has-been-not-all/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Assault" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/our-surest-protection-against-assault-from-abroad-has-been-not-all/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db7/theodore-c-sorensen-22160_assault_our-surest-protection-against-assault-fr_412750.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db7/theodore-c-sorensen-22160_assault_our-surest-protection-against-assault-fr_412750.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db7/theodore-c-sorensen-22160_assault_our-surest-protection-against-assault-fr_412750.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Our surest protection against assault from abroad has been not all our guards, gates and guns, or even our…” — Theodore C. Sorensen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Theodore C. Sorensen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Our surest protection against assault from...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/our-surest-protection-against-assault-from-abroad-has-been-not-all/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/our-surest-protection-against-assault-from-abroad-has-been-not-all/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```