The Times Great Quotations: Famous quotes to inform, motivate and inspire

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A man may build himself a throne of bayonets, but he cannot sit on it.

Philosophy of Plotinus (1923)

Dean Inge, English writer, priest and educator (1860–1954)

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History is littered with the wars which everybody knew would never happen.

The Times (1967)

Enoch Powell, British politician and scholar (1912–1998)

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All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.

Homage to Catalonia (1938)

George Orwell, English writer (1903–1950)

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The weak have one weapon: the errors of those who think they are strong.

The Observer (1962)

Georges Bidault, prime minister of France (1899–1983)

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I renounce war for its consequences, for the lies it lives on and propagates, for the undying hatred it arouses, for the dictatorships it puts in the place of democracy, for the starvation that stalks after it.

[Armistice Day sermon in New York, 1933]

Harry Emerson Fosdick, American pastor (1878–1969)

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Older men declare war. But it is the youth who must fight and die.

[Speech in Chicago to the 23rd Republican national convention, 1944]

Herbert Hoover, 31st president of the US (1874–1964)

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Peace is not made at the council table or by treaties, but in the hearts of men.

Herbert Hoover, 31st president of the US (1874–1964)

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Those who in quarrels interpose

Must often wipe a bloody nose.

Fables (1727)

John Gay, English poet (1685–1732)

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If the thrill of hunting were in the hunt, or even in the marksmanship, a camera would do just as well.

Eating Animals (2009)

Jonathan Safran Foer, American writer (1977–)

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If peace cannot be maintained with honour, it is no longer peace.

[Speech in Greenock, 1853]

Lord John Russell, prime minister of the UK (1792–1878)

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A war can perhaps be won single-handedly. But peace — lasting peace — cannot be secured without the support of all.

[Speech to the UN, 2003]

Luiz Inаcio Lula da Silva, president of Brazil (1945–)

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All I have I would have given gladly not to be standing here today.

[Speech to Congress after the assassination of John F Kennedy, 1963]

Lyndon B Johnson, 36th president of the US (1908–1973)

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I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.