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Neutrality is a negative word. It does not express what America ought to feel. We are not trying to keep out of trouble; we are trying to preserve the foundations on which peace may be rebuilt.
Woodrow Wilson
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes that neutrality is not a proactive stance and that America should focus on building peace rather than avoiding conflict.

Woodrow Wilson's quote critiques the concept of neutrality by suggesting that it is insufficient for achieving meaningful progress. Instead of merely avoiding trouble, he advocates for a commitment to the values and foundations necessary for rebuilding peace, thereby implying that active engagement and responsibility are required to create a stable and harmonious world.

Themes

NeutralityPeaceEngagementAmericaResponsibilityFoundations

In practice

Example use cases

During a discussion on international relations, one might quote Wilson to emphasize the need for proactive peace-building.

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