The action we take and the decisions we make in this decade will have consequences far into this century. If America shows weakness and uncertainty, the world will drift toward tragedy. That will not happen on my watch.
George W. BushRead
Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the resilience and strength of the American spirit in the face of terrorism.
George W. Bush's quote conveys the idea that while terrorist attacks can physically damage structures and cause fear, they cannot diminish the unyielding spirit and determination of the American people. It highlights the importance of inner strength and resolve in overcoming challenges and adversity.
Themes
TerrorismResolveStrengthAmericaResilience
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech addressing national security.
More from George W. Bush
All quotes →Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger.
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We are not deceived by their pretenses to piety. We have seen their kind before. They are the heirs of all the murderous ideologies of the 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve their radical visions - by abandoning every value except the will to power - they follow in the path of fascism, and Nazism, and totalitarianism. And they will follow that path all the way, to where it ends: in history's unmarked grave of discarded lies.
George W. BushRead
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