Michael Morell Quotes

Each particular society begins to feel its strength, whence arises a state of war between different nations.

Let the natural process of war among nations smother the weak.

The important thing is the boldness of the President. He will lead opinion and not follow it. He does not want war but will not shrink from it.

I can't let it pass when you say: "You are the weak party." No, I am not the weak party. I am the man who is making the war. I am the man who is making the peace.

Cooperation requires a certain degree of trust between states. The threshold of trust required for cooperation depends on a set of variables including a state's relative power and costs of conflict…. conflict between trustworthy states is possible, when we see conflict it is a sign that one or both of the states are likely to be untrustworthy.

I could have been very popular if I had launched a military attack on Iran but I chose patience.

I like to fight. That's who I am.

War's an auction where whoever can pay the most in damage and still be standing wins.

Get your egos off the battlefield.

War knows no law except that of might.

In this world a man must either be anvil or hammer.

War should be the only study of a prince. He should consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes as ability to execute, military plans.

I like the moment when I break a man's ego.

War is the ultimate tool of politics.

War is regarded as nothing but the continuation of state policy with other means.

Nobody knows through how many thousands of years fighting men have made a place for themselves while the weak and peaceable have gone to the wall.

There are no warlike people - just warlike leaders.

You can't go to a negotiating table pointing a gun, but you've got to keep it over your shoulder.

No man has the right to use the great powers of the Presidency to lead the people, indirectly, into war.

Let us first render ourselves popular by mighty deeds, and afterwards we will speak of peace and clemency. In the disputes of others let us always put ourselves on the side of the stronger. If we would become rich in men and cattle, we cannot help making enemies; but they will not roar for ever.

I am a peace man except when I wish to fight.

Peace with a cudgel in hand is war.

I don’t care what the international lawyers say, we are going to kick some ass.

Unless you’re prepared to use force, it’s very difficult to deal with a person who understands only force.

There is no area where experience matters more than in war and diplomacy.