Cordell Hull Quotes (14 Quotes)


    Fortunately, the war has brought with it not alone a stark realization of what another war would mean to the world, but as well the creation of an international agency through which the nations of the world can, if they so desire, make peace a living reality.

    Within a few weeks the organization for the maintenance of international peace and security, established by the San Francisco Charter, will be formally launched through the convocation of the first General Assembly of the United Nations.

    I fully realize that the new organization is a human rather than a perfect instrumentality for the attainment of its great objective. As time goes on it will, I am sure, be improved.

    To be sure, no piece of social machinery, however well constructed, can be effective unless there is back of it a will and a determination to make it work.

    Never insult an alligator until after you have crossed the river.


    I am certain that, however great the hardships and the trials which loom ahead, our America will endure and the cause of human freedom will triumph.

    That war has brought with it a truly incredible development of means of destruction and a terrifying prospect of rapid and almost limitless development in that direction.

    Secretary of State under Roosevelt, testifying before the Joint Committee on the Investigation of the Pearl Harbor Attack in regard to remarks he had made to the War Council on November 28, 1941. I emphasized that in my opinion the Japanese were likely to break out at any time with new acts of conquest and that the matter of safeguarding our national security was in the hands of the Army and the Navy. With due deference I expressed my judgement that any plans for our military defense should include an assumption that the Japanese might make the element of surprise a central point in their strategy and also might attack at various points simultaneously with a view to demoralizing efforts of defense and of coordination.

    Triumphant science and technology are only at the threshold of man's command over sources of energy so stupendous that, if used for military purposes, they can wipe out our entire civilization.

    There is no greater responsibility resting upon peoples and governments everywhere than to make sure that enduring peace will this time - at long last - be established and maintained.

    As I have already informed you, the present state of my health renders impossible my presence at Oslo on this most memorable occasion.

    Under the ominous shadow which the second World War and its attendant circumstances have cast on the world, peace has become as essential to civilized existence as the air we breathe is to life itself.

    Please let me assure you, however, that the keen disappointment and regret which I feel in this regard serve only to enhance my profound appreciation of the great honor which you have done me; and my sincere gratitude for your generous action.

    Never insult an alligator until you've crossed the river.


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