Quote

There is no realism without an element of idealism.

Henry A. Kissinger

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Henry A. Kissinger
Idealism
Realism
Element
Elements
Without

More quotes by Henry A. Kissinger

Image
What we in America call terrorists are really groups of people that reject the international system
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
With respect to the relationship between nuclear weapons and the advent of détente, one has to consider two things. One, the nature of nuclear weapons in themselves, and secondly, the advent of nuclear parity.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
In relations with many domestically weak countries, a radio transmitter can be a more effective form of pressure than a squadron B-52s.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
Why should we flagellate ourselves for what the Cambodians did to each other?
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
A bluff taken seriously is more useful than a serious threat interpreted as a bluff.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
It was a Greek tragedy. Nixon was fulfilling his own nature. Once it started it could not end otherwise.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
University politics make me long for the simplicity of the Middle East.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
I was always convinced that decent people in the case of Vietnam, highly intelligent, decent people, got us involved because they had made, in part, a misjudgment about the nature of the communist system and the unity of the communist world and the degree to which the experience of Europe could be repeated in Vietnam.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
History is not, of course, a cookbook offering pretested recipes. It teaches by analogy, not by maxims. It can illuminate the consequences of actions in comparable situations, yet each generation must discover for itself what situations are in fact comparable.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
With proper tactics, nuclear war need not be as destructive as it appears.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
The British capitalize on their accent when they don't want you to know what they're saying. But if you wake them up at 4 A.M., they speak perfect English, the same as we do.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
Leaders are responsible not for running public opinion polls but for the consequences of their actions.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
I do not criticize people who take a public stand on human rights issues. I express my respect for them. But some people are more influential without a public confrontation.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
The idea of abstract power only exists for academics, not in real life.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
A little uncertainty is good for everyone.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
I see the future of China as growth. I think that historically China has often gone through periods of consolidation, and then periods of sort of weakening central authority. They undoubtedly face tremendous challenges.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
There cannot be a crisis next week. My schedule is already full.
Henry A. Kissinger
Image
I think China will do nothing to obstruct it, and they probably will go along with it.
Henry A. Kissinger