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.
The cost of a thing is what I call life which has to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.
Iβve worked in an economy that rewards someone who saves the lives of others on a battlefield with a medal, rewards a great teacher with thank-you notes from parents, but rewards those who can detect the mispricing of securities with sums reaching into the billions.
We are our world knowing itself. We can relinquish our separateness. We can come home again - and participate in our world in a richer, more responsible and poignantly beautiful way than before, in our infancy.
No such thing as a man willing to be honest - that would be like a blind man willing to see.
There's something vile (and all the more vile because ridiculous) in the tendency of feeble men to make universal tragedies out of the sad comedies of their private woes.
She - philosophy is equally helpful to the rich and poor: neglect her, and she equally harms the young and old.
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