I feel impelled to speak today in a language that in a sense is new-one which I, who have spent so much of my life in the military profession, would have preferred never to use. That new language is the language of atomic warfare.
Interpretation
Eisenhower emphasizes the gravity of discussing atomic warfare as a new and troubling necessity.
In this quote, Dwight D. Eisenhower expresses his reluctance to address the subject of atomic warfare, a language he associates with the heavy burden of military conflict. He conveys the urgency of the topic while simultaneously revealing his personal conflict as a military leader who wished to avoid such discussions, highlighting the moral complexities of modern warfare.
In practice
In a speech about the dangers of nuclear weapons during a peace rally.
If a man's associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.
The libraries of America are and must ever remain the home of free and inquiring minds. To them, our citizens-of all ages and races, of all creeds and persuasions-must be able to turn with clear confidence that there they can freely seek the whole truth, unvarnished by fashion and uncompromised by expediency.
You don't lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.
When pressure mounts and strain increases everyone begins to show the weaknesses in his makeup. It is up to the Commander to conceal his: above all to conceal doubt, fear, and distrust.
Some years ago I became president of Columbia University and learned within 24 hours to be ready to speak at the drop of a hat, and I learned something more, the trustees were expected to be ready to speak at the passing of the hat.
I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.
My political opinions lean more and more to Anarchy (philosophically understood, meaning abolition of control not whiskered men with bombs).
Spiritual people don't float around all day on clouds of glory; they live in the real world and deal with real issues in real ways.
Drinking when we are not thirsty and making love at all seasons, madam: that is all there is to distinguish us from other animals.
Lord, give me firmness without hardness, steadfastness without dogmatism, love without weakness.
The eyes of the soul of the multitudes are unable to endure the vision of the divine.
You live in a deranged age, more deranged that usual, because in spite of great scientific and technological advances, man has not the faintest idea of who he is or what he is doing.
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