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
I'm honored to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the bravery of individuals who resist oppression and tyranny.
In this quote, George W. Bush expresses admiration for the resilience and courage of an Iraqi citizen who endured severe physical violence under Saddam Hussein's regime. It underscores the strength of individuals who stand up against authoritarianism, serving as a testament to the human spirit even in the face of brutal oppression.
Themes
CourageResilienceOppressionBraveryFreedom
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about democracy, one might say, 'As I once honored the brave Iraqi citizen, let us honor all who fight for their freedoms.'
More from George W. Bush
All quotes βThousands 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.
George W. BushRead
Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended.
George W. BushRead
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.
George W. BushRead
Adoption was such a positive alternative to abortion, a way to save one life and brighten two more: those of the adoptive parents.
George W. BushRead
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.
George W. BushRead
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Fear hems us in, stops us from thinking clearly, and prevents us from either challenging oppression or engaging calmly with the impersonal fates.
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I have lived my life according to this principle: If I'm afraid of it, then I must do it.
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In professional work - certainly in the arts and graphics - 99% of people have zero courage. They blow with the wind.
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All my life I believed I became an athlete through my own determination, but it's impossible to think that being descended from slaves hasn't left an imprint through the generations. Difficult as it was to hear, slavery has benefited descendants like me - I believe there is a superior athletic gene in us.
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We are Craiglockhart's success stories. Look at us. We don't remember, we don't feel, we don't think - at least beyond the confines of what's needed to do the job. By any proper civilized standard (but what does that mean now?) we are objects of horror. But our nerves are completely steady. And we are still alive.
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It's of very little importance to me that I was born gay. It doesn't make me a better athlete, it doesn't make me a stronger person, it doesn't really do anything to enhance my life. It's just something I was born with, the same as green eyes.
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