Harold MacMillan Quotes

Let us recollect that peace or war will not always be left to our option; that however moderate or unambitious we may be, we cannot count upon the moderation, or hope to extinguish the ambition of others.

It is my view that we cannot conduct foreign policy at the extremes.

Britain does not normally these days play a huge part in peacekeeping.

I'm a centrist.

Our plan was to have no Interest, Connection or Embarrassment in the Politicks or Wars of Europe, if we could avoid it.

Those who say that America has to dominate the world, and that you either have to control everything or go home, don't understand the way power is projected.

The United States has the right to use its friendly offices in discouragement of any movement on the part of neighboring states which may tend to disturb the balance of power between them.

The art of politics is to find something in the middle that satisfies most.

The origins of the principle of the balance of power are lost in the mists of history.

[Commenting on foreign policy:] The Best politics is no politics.

For the moment it appeared to me that the United States was trying to save itself at the expense of Britain.

… neither the sanctions of international law nor the justice of a cause can be depended upon for a fair settlement of differences, when they come into conflict with a strong political necessity on the one side opposed to comparative weakness on the other.

Whoso desireth to govern well and securely, it behoveth him to have a vigilant eye to the proceedings of great princes, and to consider seriously of their designs.

Power is the true reserve currency in international affairs.

The United States should serve as a weight, not the weight on the scale of foreign affairs.

Extremes can be right on no side.

Britain will not get involved in a European war. Dreadnoughts have no wheels.

The U. S. is not the Boss, not the Boss any longer.

I think that anything in life is about the middle ground.

I am somebody who respects Putin highly, but I'm not somebody who is against America.

My politics are very centrist and sometimes, especially when it comes to foreign affairs, lean to the right.

If Trump becomes president, he wouldn't be afraid to step on toes. And he'll be feared by the world.

Indeed, in foreign policymaking, inconsistency is often a virtue. I speak not of principles but of policy.

We are not a superpower like the U.S. We are a small and neutral country.

I've been saying for the last nine years, our power comes as much from - our respect in the world comes as much from the exercise of our power as it does from the power of our principles.