The action we take and the decisions we make in this decade will have consequences far into this century. If America shows weakness and uncertainty, the world will drift toward tragedy. That will not happen on my watch.
George W. BushRead
Civility is not a tactic or a sentiment. It is the determined choice of trust over cynicism, of community over chaos.
Interpretation
Civility is a conscious choice based on trust and community, rather than negativity and disorder.
In this quote, George W. Bush emphasizes that civility is not merely an approach or feeling; it requires deliberate action and a commitment to fostering trust within a community. By choosing civility, individuals actively reject cynicism and chaos, creating a more harmonious and cooperative society.
In practice
In a speech advocating for community engagement, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of civility in building trust.
The action we take and the decisions we make in this decade will have consequences far into this century. If America shows weakness and uncertainty, the world will drift toward tragedy. That will not happen on my watch.
Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger.
Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended.
Use power to help people. For we are given power not to advance our own purposes nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power and it is to serve people.
Adoption was such a positive alternative to abortion, a way to save one life and brighten two more: those of the adoptive parents.
We are not deceived by their pretenses to piety. We have seen their kind before. They are the heirs of all the murderous ideologies of the 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve their radical visions - by abandoning every value except the will to power - they follow in the path of fascism, and Nazism, and totalitarianism. And they will follow that path all the way, to where it ends: in history's unmarked grave of discarded lies.
A military without political training is a potential criminal.
We focus on two things when hiring. First, find the best people you can in the world. And second, let them do their work. Just get out of their way.
In every society some men are born to rule, and some to advise.
You can teach someone with basic smarts to be smarter; you can't teach cultural fit or personality. But you also want someone who has a passion to win; someone that is all in.
The skills you need to fight the colonial power and the skills you need to gain independence are not necessarily the same you need to run a country.
You're always growing as a coach, and I am not done growing, and hopefully I'm not done winning.
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