Henry Kissinger Quotes

“Power without legitimacy tempts tests of strength; legitimacy without power tempts empty posturing.”

― Henry Kissinger, Diplomacy

topic:strength power

“And history teaches this iron law of revolutions: the more extensive the eradication of existing authority, the more its successors must rely on naked power to establish themselves. For, in the end, legitimacy involves an acceptance of authority...”

― Henry Kissinger, Diplomacy

“In Washington the appearance of power is therefore almost as important as the reality of it; in fact, the appearance is frequently its essential reality.”

― Henry Kissinger, White House Years

topic:power reality appearance

“No country can act wisely simultaneously in every part of the globe at every moment of time.”

― Henry Kissinger, White House Years

topic:wisdom

“For the greatest part of humanity and the longest periods of history, empire has been the typical mode of government. Empires have no interest in operating within an international system; they aspire to be the international system.”

― Henry Kissinger, Diplomacy

topic:government

“We cannot always assure the future of our friends; we have a better chance of assuring our future if we remember who our friends are.”

― Henry Kissinger, White House Years

topic:future

“Communism, advertised as bringing a classless society, tended to breed a privileged class of feudal proportions.”

― Henry Kissinger, On China

topic:society

“A war is just when the intention that causes it to be undertaken is just...”

― Henry Kissinger, Diplomacy

topic:war justice

“Most high officials leave office with the perceptions and insights with which they entered; they learn how to make decisions but not what decisions to make.”

― Henry Kissinger, White House Years

“For moderation is a virtue only in those who are thought to have a choice.”

― Henry Kissinger, White House Years

topic:virtue choice

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