Quotes by J. William Fulbright

About J. William Fulbright:

James William Fulbright was a United States Senator representing Arkansas from January 1945 until his resignation in December 1974.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

In our excessive involvement in the affairs of other countries, we are not only living off our assets and denying our own people the proper enjoyment of their resources; we are also denying the world the example of a free society enjoying its freedom...

J. William Fulbright

The biggest lesson I learned from Vietnam is not to trust our own government statements. I had no idea until then that you could not rely on them.

J. William Fulbright

In the long course of history, having people who understand your thought is much greater security than another submarine.

J. William Fulbright

What they fear, I think rightly, is that traditional Vietnamese society cannot survive the American economic and cultural impact.

J. William Fulbright

In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith.

J. William Fulbright

Once imbued with the idea of a mission, a great nation easily assumes that it has the means as well as the duty to do God's work.

J. William Fulbright

The exchange program is the thing that reconciles me to all the difficulties of political life.

J. William Fulbright

Insofar as international law is observed, it provides us with stability and order and with a means of predicting the behavior of those with whom we have reciprocal legal obligations.

J. William Fulbright

To be a statesman, you must first get elected.

J. William Fulbright

The price of empire is America's soul, and that price is too high.

J. William Fulbright

We must dare to think 'unthinkable' thoughts. We must learn to explore all the options and possibilities that confront us in a complex and rapidly changing world.

J. William Fulbright

The junior senator from Wisconsin, by his reckless charges, has so preyed upon the fears and hatreds and prejudices of the American people that he has started a prairie fire which neither he nor anyone else may be able to control.

J. William Fulbright

There has been a strong tradition in this country that it is not the function of the military to educate the public on political issues.

J. William Fulbright

When we violate the law ourselves, whatever short-term advantage may be gained, we are obviously encouraging others to violate the law; we thus encourage disorder and instability and thereby do incalculable damage to our own long-term interests.

J. William Fulbright

There has been a tendency through the years for reason and moderation to prevail as long as things are going tolerably well or as long as our problems seem clear and finite and manageable.

J. William Fulbright

The Soviet Union has indeed been our greatest menace, not so much because of what it has done, but because of the excuses it has provided us for our failures.

J. William Fulbright

The rapprochement of peoples is only possible when differences of culture and outlook are respected and appreciated rather than feared and condemned, when the common bond of human dignity is recognized as the essential bond for a peaceful world.

J. William Fulbright

The citizen who criticizes his country is paying it an implied tribute.

J. William Fulbright

Law is the essential foundation of stability and order both within societies and in international relations.

J. William Fulbright

I think we Americans tend to put too high a price on unanimity, as if there were something dangerous and illegitimate about honest differences of opinion honestly expressed by honest men.

J. William Fulbright

Author Bio

  • NameJ. William Fulbright
  • DescriptionAmerican politician
  • BornApril 9, 1905
  • DiedFebruary 9, 1995
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionPolitician
  • AwardsPresidential Medal Of Freedom; Four Freedoms Award - Freedom From Fear