“There are always good reasons not to do anything, especially not to do anything yourself”
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On April 24, 1953, Queen Elizabeth II granted British Prime Minister Winston Churchill a knighthood, in the autumn of that year the Nobel Committee awarded him the Literature Prize – “For the high skill of works of a historical and biographical nature, as well as for brilliant oratory, with which they defended highest human values. Churchill really went down in history as a great orator, able not only to change history with the help of words, but also to clothe what is happening in such formulations that do not lose their relevance even decades later.
1
I have a rule: when I am abroad, I never criticize or attack the government of my country. But I make up for lost time when I return.
Speech “Empire and Freedom”, April 18, 1947
2
In general, I am an optimist. I don’t see much point in being someone else.
Speech at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet, 9 November 1954
3
I have no doubt that the Romans planned the day much better than we do. They got up before dawn at all times of the year. We never see the dawn, except in wartime. Sometimes we see the sunset. Sunset means sadness, dawn means hope.
“My early years”, 1930
4
Diplomatic relations are established not in order to show courtesy, but in order to gain benefits.
“Foreign Policy”, November 17, 1949
5
A statesman who succumbs to war fever must understand that it is worth giving the appropriate signal, and he will cease to be the master of the situation and become a slave to unpredictable and uncontrollable events.
“My early years”, 1930
6
No matter how confident you are in your victory, always remember: there would be no war if your opponent did not think that he also had a chance to win.
“My early years”, 1930
7
Without tradition, art is a flock of sheep without a shepherd. And without innovation – a corpse.
Speech at the Royal Academy of Arts, 1953
8
Truth is immutable. Panic may hate her, ignorance may mock her, malice may pervert her, but she will remain herself.
“Royal Assent” speech, May 17, 1916
9
Looking too far is a mistake. At one point in time, you can control only one link in the chain of fate.
Speech “Crimean Conference”, February 27, 1945
10
Generally speaking, short speeches are better. And old speeches, when they are also short, are best.
The London Times Literary Award Speech, 2 November 1949
eleven
As for me, I am always ready to learn, even though I don’t always like being taught.
Debate in the House of Commons, November 4, 1952
12
I am absolutely convinced that if we begin to clarify the relationship between the past and the present, we will lose the future.
Speech “Their Finest Hour”, June 18, 1940
13
The principle “If you do it, then do it perfectly” can be described even more briefly: “Paralysis”.
“The Second World War. Part 4”, 1950
14
I have always believed that a politician should be judged by the aggression he arouses in his opponents. I sought not only to cherish their fury, but also to do everything to deserve it.
Speech at a dinner at the Institute of Journalists, November 17, 1906
15
When I look back on past worries, I remember the old man’s story. On his deathbed, he said that he had a lot of anxiety in his life, but most of it about what never happened.
“The Second World War. Part 2”, 1949
16
The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal distribution of wealth. The inherent virtue of socialism is the equal distribution of suffering.
Speech in the House of Commons, 22 October 1945
17
No one can understand history without relating its long periods to the experience of one’s own short life. Five years is a lot. Twenty years for most people is the maximum that can be surveyed. Fifty is ancient. To understand how the course of history affected the people of this or that generation, you need to imagine their situation, and then transfer its duration to the timeline of your own life.
“History of the English-speaking peoples”, 1956
18
I categorically refuse to be impartial in the relationship between the fire brigade and the fire.
Debate in the House of Commons, 7 July 1926
19
Generally speaking, people can be divided into three classes: those who work to death, those who worry to death, and those who are bored to death.
“Thoughts and Adventures”, 1945
20
Those who in the future look back at the first upheavals of this terrible era will easily be able, having already acquired the necessary knowledge and experience, to issue wise judgments about everything that was done or needed to be done. There are always good reasons for doing nothing, especially not doing anything yourself.
“World Crisis 1911-1914”, 1923
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