Playing the game I have learned the meaning of humility. It has given me an understanding of futility of the human effort.
Abba EbanRead
Nobody does Israel any service by proclaiming its 'right to exist.' Israel's right to exist, like that of the United States, Saudi Arabia and 152 other states, is axiomatic and unreserved. Israel's legitimacy is not suspended in midair awaiting acknowledgement.... There is certainly no other state, big or small, young or old, that would consider mere recognition of its 'right to exist' a favor, or a negotiable concession.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Abba Eban emphasizes that Israel's right to exist is self-evident and should not require validation from others.
In this quote, Abba Eban argues that the legitimacy of Israel as a sovereign state is intrinsic and should not depend on external acknowledgment or recognition. He compares Israel's situation to that of other nations, asserting that expecting recognition of a nation's right to exist is both unnecessary and condescending. Eban highlights the absurdity of treating the acknowledgment of a nation's existence as a negotiable concession, stressing that every state possesses inherent legitimacy simply by existing.
Themes
IsraelRecognitionLegitimacySovereigntyExistence
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about international relations, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of recognizing a state's inherent rights.
More from Abba Eban
All quotes →Tragedy is not what men suffer but what they miss.
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A nation writes its history in the image of its ideal.
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It is our experience that political leaders do not always mean the opposite of what they say.
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A statesman who keeps his ear permanently glued to the ground will have neither elegance of posture nor flexibility of movement.
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Consensus is what many people say in chorus but do not believe as individuals.
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