Today it is becoming increasingly apparent to thoughtful Americans that we cannot fight the forces and ideas of imperialism abroad and maintain any form of imperialism at home. The war has done this to our thinking.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the contradiction of opposing imperialism abroad while practicing it domestically.
Wendell Willkie highlights a significant moral and philosophical dilemma faced by Americans: the inability to combat imperialism overseas while simultaneously perpetuating it within their own borders. This reflection encourages a deep examination of national values and ethics, urging individuals to align their foreign policies with a commitment to justice and equality at home.
In practice
During a lecture on ethics in international relations, this quote could highlight the importance of consistency in moral values.
Freedom is an indivisible word. If we want to enjoy it, and fight for it, we must be prepared to extend it to everyone, whether they are rich or poor, whether they agree with us or not, no matter what their race or the color of their skin.
It is from weakness that people reach for dictators and concentrated government power. Only the strong can be free. And only the productive can be strong.
No man has a right in America to treat any other man "tolerantly" for tolerance is the assumption of superiority. Our liberties are equal rights of every citizen.
I believe the moral losses of expediency always far outweigh the temporary gains.
To suppress minority thinking and minority expression would tend to freeze society and prevent progress. Now more than ever we must keep in the forefront of our minds the fact that whenever we take away the liberties of those we hate, we are opening the way to loss of liberty for those we love.
Reason is a supple nymph, and slippery as a fish by nature. She had as leave give her kiss to an absurdity any day, as to syllogistic truth. The absurdity may turn out truer.
Masks beneath masks until suddenly the bare bloodless skull.
The nuclear arms race is like two sworn enemies standing waist deep in gasoline, one with three matches, the other with five.
It is only the modern that ever becomes old-fashioned.
The minister who keeps back hell from his people in his sermons is neither a faithful nor a charitable man.
Gentleman, you have come sixty days too late. The depression is over.
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