It is easier for a Russian to become an atheist than for anyone else in the world.
—Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821–81) Russian Novelist, Essayist, Writer
It is a well-known fact that we always recognize our homeland when we are about to lose it.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Novelist
How can you govern a country with two hundred and forty six varieties of cheese?
—Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970) French General, Statesman
The French complain of everything, and always.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
God how I hate new countries: They are older than the old, more sophisticated, much more conceited, only young in a certain puerile vanity more like senility than anything.
—D. H. Lawrence (1885–1930) English Novelist, Playwright, Poet, Essayist, Critic
Nothing and no one can destroy the Chinese people. They are relentless survivors.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
The soil of their native land is dear to all the hearts of mankind.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
We prefer world law, in the age of self-determination, to world war in the age of mass extermination.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
The strength of a nation, especially of a republican nation, is in the intelligent and well-ordered homes of the people.
—Lydia H. Sigourney (1791–1865) American Poetaster, Author
The United Nations is designed to make possible lasting freedom and independence for all its members.
—Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) American Head of State
Without country you have neither name, token, voice, nor rights, no admission as brothers into the fellowship of the Peoples. You are the bastards of Humanity. Soldiers without a banner, Israelites among the nations, you will find neither faith nor protection; none will be sureties for you. Do not beguile yourselves with the hope of emancipation from unjust social conditions if you do not first conquer a Country for yourselves.
—Giuseppe Mazzini (1805–72) Italian Patriot, Political Leader
The maxim of the British people is “Business as usual.”
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Nations! What are nations? Tartars! and Huns! and Chinamen! Like insects they swarm. The historian strives in vain to make them memorable. It is for want of a man that there are so many men. It is individuals that populate the world.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
There is always something new out of Africa.
—Pliny the Elder (23–79CE) Roman Statesman, Scholar
Poor nations are hungry, and rich nations are proud; and pride and hunger will ever be at variance.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
I do not call the sod under my feet my country; but language—religion—government—blood—identity in these makes men of one country.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
The Irish are a fair people: They never speak well of one another.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
We Jews have a secret weapon in our struggle with the Arabs; we have no place to go.
—Golda Meir (1898–1978) Israeli Head of State
France has neither winter nor summer nor morals. Apart from these drawbacks it is a fine country.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
There’s always something fishy about the French.
—Noel Coward (1899–1973) English Dramatist, Actor, Composer
Frenchmen have an unlimited capacity for gallantry and indulge it on every occasion.
—Moliere (1622–73) French Playwright
Nations without a past are contradictions in terms. What makes a nation is the past, what justifies one nation against others is the past, and historians are the people who produce it.
—Eric Hobsbawm (1917–2012) British Historian
I suffer more from the humiliations inflicted by my country than from those inflicted on her.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
The United Nations was not set up to be a reformatory. It was assumed that you would be good before you got in and not that being in would make you good.
—John Foster Dulles (1888–1959) American Republican Public Official, Lawyer
The French work to live, but the Swiss live to work.
—French Proverb
France is the country where the money falls apart and you can’t tear the toilet paper.
—Billy Wilder (1906–2002) American Filmmaker
The French are wiser than they seem, and the Spaniards seem wiser than they are.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
The English are predisposed to pride, the French to vanity.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
The noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees is the high road that leads him to England.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Switzerland is simply a large, lumpy, solid rock with a thin skin of grass stretched over it.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
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