Respect for Sovereignty Quotes

… loyalty to one's country, not to its institutions or its officeholders. The country is the real thing, the substantial thing, the eternal thing; it is the thing to watch over, and care for, and be loyal to; institutions are extraneous, they are its mere clothing, and clothing can wear out, become ragged, cease to be comfortable, cease to protect the body from winter, disease, and death.

I love my country too much to be a nationalist.

A great power imposes the obligation of exercising restraint

We shall not allow our territory to be used by, nor shall we support, any group seeking to overthrow a government through unconstitutional means in any of our neighboring countries. In turn, we expect all our neighbors to treat and relate to us in similar manner.

The world wants America to lead. It does not want America to impose or dictate.

You don't spread democracy through the barrel of a gun.

Russia doesn’t like it when it is humiliated, when it is pressured.

I don't go to different countries to criticise their political system and tell them what they should be doing - what do I know?

We recognize and accept our own deep involvement in the destiny of men everywhere. We are accordingly pledged to honor, and to strive to fortify, the authority of the United Nations. For in that body rests the best hope of our age for the assertion of that law by which all nations may live in dignity.

I dare say that a majority of the American people think that having a fair hearing on an issue of importance in our relations with Mexico is extremely important to our national interest, as well as theirs.

Brussels' stance against Poland is not just... they should give more respect to the Poles.

Our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please …. Our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We love peace, but not peace at any price.

Although our capacities to advance our interests are limited, we should be active and constructive in pursuit of a peaceful and favourable international environment.

We need a principled foreign policy that consistently and resolutely stands up for freedom.

If there be one principle more deeply rooted than any other in the mind of every American, it is that we should have nothing to do with conquest.

I learned during my term and in the presidency that we should not discuss about assumptions or insinuations. If one day I have to do something against the U.S., the first one to get to know what I was going to do would be the president of the U.S.

It is not polite for a Russian to interfere in British politics.

America is being utterly immoral in refusing to join the International Criminal Court and in trying to blackmail economically weak countries like Kenya. It is really very insulting to our sovereignty, to our sense of self respect.

India continues to be guided by the principles of being non-interfering, non-prescriptive, and non-judgemental. In other words, India remains ready to provide any support but strongly believes that it is for the Arab countries to decide their destiny without any external interference or diktats from outside.

It certainly is very desirable that a pacific disposition should prevail among all nations.

Whatever understanding is reached with Pakistan has to be followed honestly, and everybody will have to rise above party politics and be actively committed to make India prosperous.

Egypt is practicing its very normal role on its soil and does not threaten anyone and there should not be any kind of international or regional concerns at all from the presence of Egyptian security forces.

Israel never interferes in the domestic issues of any other country. It's not our matter; it's not our policy.

Our work for human dignity is often lonely, and almost always an uphill climb. At times, our efforts are misunderstood, and we are mistaken for the enemy. There has been a clear erosion of respect for U.N. blue and our impartiality.