Quotes Library

March 25, 2025

History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives.

Abba Eban (1915–2002), Israeli diplomat and politician, speech in London, 16 December 1970, Jay p.127

Can you think of an instance where you wasted a lot of time considering, promoting, or pursuing an alternative when the wisest solution was staring you in the face? Why were you blind to it?

So wisdom is the default position? That’s a consolation, until one realizes the legion of wrong alternatives yet to be exhausted in so many cases.


More Quotes

November 23, 2025
You may be sure that when a man begins to call himself a realist he is preparing to do something that he is secretly ashamed of doing.
December 19, 2025
Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge where there is no river.
January 17, 2025
One final tip to rebels: always have a second profession in reserve.
Page 55 of 122