I despise people who go to the gutter on either the right or the left and hurl rocks at those in the center.
Interpretation
The quote criticizes extreme political views that attack moderate positions.
Eisenhower expresses contempt for individuals on the far ends of the political spectrum who refuse to engage in constructive dialogue and instead choose to attack those who represent a more balanced, centrist perspective. This reflects a belief in the importance of moderation and understanding in political discourse.
In practice
During a political debate on the importance of moderation in politics.
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.
Look past your thoughts, so you may drink the pure nectar of This Moment.
May I not forget that poverty and riches are of the spirit. Though the world knows me not, may my thoughts and actions be such as will keep me friendly with myself.
Man is the only animal that can remain on friendly terms with the victims he intends to eat until he eats them.
There is another form of temptation, even more fraught with danger. This is the disease of curiosity. It is this which drives us to try and discover the secrets of nature, those secrets which are beyond our understanding, which can avail us nothing and which man should not wish to learn.
Each day has a story to - deserves to be told, because we are made of stories. I mean, scientists say that human beings are made of atoms, but a little bird told me that we are also made of stories.
You fall out of your mother's womb, you crawl across open country under fire, and drop into your grave.
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