---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: WikiLeaks is irritating and annoying for…"
description: "\"WikiLeaks is irritating and annoying for Germany, but not a threat. From an international perspective, I see their actions as totally irresponsible.\" —..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/840/thomas-de-maiziere-27594_action_wikileaks-is-irritating-and-annoying-for_51655.jpg"
---

#  WikiLeaks is irritating and annoying for Germany, but not…

![“WikiLeaks is irritating and annoying for Germany, but not a threat. From an international perspective, I see their actions as totally irresponsible.” quote by Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/840/thomas-de-maiziere-27594_action_wikileaks-is-irritating-and-annoying-for_51655.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/840/thomas-de-maiziere-27594_action_wikileaks-is-irritating-and-annoying-for_51655.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/840/thomas-de-maiziere-27594_action_wikileaks-is-irritating-and-annoying-for_51655.jpg)

> “WikiLeaks is irritating and annoying for Germany, but not a threat. From an international perspective, I see their actions as totally irresponsible.”

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker views WikiLeaks' disclosures as a nuisance to Germany, but not a strategic danger, and judges the leaks as globally reckless.

**In simple terms:** Leaks are a nuisance, not a threat.

Key Takeaway

Irresponsible leaks cause diplomatic irritation.

Themes

politics media security ethics international relations

Mood

critical cautious

Type

political statement opinion

When to use this quote

- government crisis management
- journalistic decision-making
- public policy debates
- diplomatic negotiations

Key Concepts

information control state sovereignty public accountability

Practical Applications

- risk assessment for national security
- media literacy training

Questions to Reflect On

- How should governments balance secrecy with accountability?
- When does a leak become a security threat?

A Different Perspective

Some argue that leaks can expose wrongdoing and promote transparency, outweighing irritation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Annoying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/annoying/) [Annoying Germany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/annoying-germany-732115/) [Germany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/germany/) [Germany Threat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/germany-threat-732116/) [International](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/international/) [International Perspective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/international-perspective-332712/) [Irresponsible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irresponsible/) [Irritating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irritating/) [Julian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/julian/) [Perspective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perspective/) [Threat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threat/) [Wikileaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wikileaks/) [Wikileaks Irritating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wikileaks-irritating-732114/)

## Related quotes

> [Japan's diplomatic efforts could have had a broader international perspective. Relations with the U.S. are, of course, the cornerstone of Japan's diplomacy, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadako-ogata/japan-s-diplomatic-efforts-could-have-had-a-broader-international/)

[Sadako Ogata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadako-ogata/)

> [I am quite international. My background, born in Turkey. My family is a Jewish family from Iran, so I went from Turkey to Iran…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nouriel-roubini/i-am-quite-international-my-background-born-in-turkey-my-family-is-a/)

[Nouriel Roubini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nouriel-roubini/)

> [Wikileaks is a mechanism to maximize the flow of information to maximize the amount of action leading to just reform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/wikileaks-is-a-mechanism-to-maximize-the-flow-of-information-to/)

[Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/)

> [WikiLeaks is exposing our government officials for the frauds that they are. They also show us how governments work together to lie to their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-ventura/wikileaks-is-exposing-our-government-officials-for-the-frauds-that/)

[Jesse Ventura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-ventura/)

> [The first serious infowar is now engaged. The field of battle is WikiLeaks. You are the troops.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/the-first-serious-infowar-is-now-engaged-the-field-of-battle-is/)

[John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/)

> [WikiLeaks has been a very strong proponent of the Freedom of Information Act. This is probably, actually, if you think about it, probably against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/wikileaks-has-been-a-very-strong-proponent-of-the-freedom-of/)

[Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/)

> [Most of what is done I think is to kept secret so the public won't know. The same is true of what Wikileaks exposed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/most-of-what-is-done-i-think-is-to-kept-secret-so-the-public-won-t/)

[Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/)

> [As we have seen, WikiLeaks is a robust organization. During my time in solitary confinement in the basement of a Victorian prison, we continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/as-we-have-seen-wikileaks-is-a-robust-organization-during-my-time-in/)

[Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/)

> [WikiLeaks has been publishing for ten years, and in those ten years, we have published ten million documents, several thousand individual publications, several thousand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/wikileaks-has-been-publishing-for-ten-years-and-in-those-ten-years-we/)

[Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/)

> [I don't think most people in the US realize how important WikiLeaks is and why Julian's case needs support.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-stone/i-don-t-think-most-people-in-the-us-realize-how-important-wikileaks/)

[Oliver Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-stone/)

> [The work of WikiLeaks is with principal documentary evidence; that's where the truth lies. It gets to the heart of the matter. It educates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-harrison/the-work-of-wikileaks-is-with-principal-documentary-evidence-that-s/)

[Sara Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-harrison/)

> [WikiLeaks exposed corruption, war crimes, torture and cover-ups. It showed that we were lied to about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jemima-khan/wikileaks-exposed-corruption-war-crimes-torture-and-cover-ups-it/)

[Jemima Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jemima-khan/)

> [I always believed that WikiLeaks as a concept would perform a global role, and to some degree it was clear that it was doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/i-always-believed-that-wikileaks-as-a-concept-would-perform-a-global/)

[Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/)

> [“Dotcom believes one of the reasons he was targeted was his support for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. He says he was compelled to reach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-fisher/dotcom-believes-one-of-the-reasons-he-was-targeted-was-his-support/)

[David Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-fisher/)

> [WikiLeaks is a source protection organization. We are famous for never having exposed one of our sources over 10 years. That's why sources trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/wikileaks-is-a-source-protection-organization-we-are-famous-for-never/)

[Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/)

## More by Thomas de Maiziere

> [Confidentiality and transparency are not mutually exclusive, but rather two sides of the same coin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/confidentiality-and-transparency-are-not-mutually-exclusive-but/)

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

> [There is a connection between the issue of refugees and the battle against the so-called Islamic State.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/there-is-a-connection-between-the-issue-of-refugees-and-the-battle/)

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

> [Everyone learns in a crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/everyone-learns-in-a-crisis/)

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

> [Each government minister views the circumstances of each issue differently. An interior minister has a different view of visa liberalization than does a foreign…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/each-government-minister-views-the-circumstances-of-each-issue/)

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

> [Political leaders have to withstand headwinds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/political-leaders-have-to-withstand-headwinds/)

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

> [I don't want anybody to accuse me of taking advantage of the situation to pursue a particular political agenda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/i-don-t-want-anybody-to-accuse-me-of-taking-advantage-of-the/)

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

> [I am sympathetic to the fact that Turkey is doing everything it can to prevent the civil war in Syria from spilling over into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/i-am-sympathetic-to-the-fact-that-turkey-is-doing-everything-it-can/)

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

> [I stand for a strong state that safeguards freedom. I don't need to show muscle for that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/i-stand-for-a-strong-state-that-safeguards-freedom-i-don-t-need-to/)

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

> [I am a big advocate of what is known as net neutrality. This means that providers are compelled to transmit content without political or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/i-am-a-big-advocate-of-what-is-known-as-net-neutrality-this-means/)

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

> [Showing strength is different than showing muscle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/showing-strength-is-different-than-showing-muscle/)

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

> [I see no constitutional problems with the identification, staving off and defusing of outside threats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/i-see-no-constitutional-problems-with-the-identification-staving-off/)

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

> [I am a politician, but I am also a Christian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/i-am-a-politician-but-i-am-also-a-christian/)

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

> [You cannot protect something without intervening on some level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/you-cannot-protect-something-without-intervening-on-some-level/)

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

> [The Internet is a modern infrastructure that plays a key role in the future of the state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/the-internet-is-a-modern-infrastructure-that-plays-a-key-role-in-the/)

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

> [One should never send soldiers on a mission based on just good will and good intent. Unfortunately, that can mean one has to stand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/one-should-never-send-soldiers-on-a-mission-based-on-just-good-will/)

[Thomas de Maiziere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

[Explore all 20 Thomas de Maiziere quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/)

## More Action quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/)

[Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/)

> [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "WikiLeaks is irritating and annoying for Germany, but not a threat. From an international perspective, I see their actions as totally irresponsible.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Thomas de Maiziere"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/wikileaks-is-irritating-and-annoying-for-germany-but-not-a-threat/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/wikileaks-is-irritating-and-annoying-for-germany-but-not-a-threat/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/840/thomas-de-maiziere-27594_action_wikileaks-is-irritating-and-annoying-for_51655.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/840/thomas-de-maiziere-27594_action_wikileaks-is-irritating-and-annoying-for_51655.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/840/thomas-de-maiziere-27594_action_wikileaks-is-irritating-and-annoying-for_51655.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“WikiLeaks is irritating and annoying for Germany, but not a threat. From an international perspective, I see…” — Thomas de Maiziere",
                "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": "Thomas de Maiziere",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-de-maiziere/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "WikiLeaks is irritating and annoying for...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/wikileaks-is-irritating-and-annoying-for-germany-but-not-a-threat/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-de-maiziere/wikileaks-is-irritating-and-annoying-for-germany-but-not-a-threat/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
