"From Stettin on the Baltic to Varna on the Black Sea, the regimes planted by totalitarianism have had more than thirty years to establish their legitimacy. But none — not one regime — has yet been able to risk free elections. Regimes planted by bayonets do not take root....If history teaches anything, it teaches self-delusion in the face of unpleasant facts is folly....Our military strength is a prerequisite to peace, but let it be clear we maintain this strength in the hope it will never be used, for the ultimate determinant in the struggle that's now going on in the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test of wills and ideas, a trial of spiritual resolve, the values we hold, the beliefs we cherish, the ideals to which we are dedicated."
More by Ronald Reagan
See allResonant Thoughts
"Since the House had been prorogued in the summer much work was done in France. The French had shewn themselves the ablest architects of ruin that had hitherto existed in the world. In that very short …"
"Why do I say this? It would be very unreasonable to understand the sad legacy of the last forty years as something alien, which some distant relative bequeathed to us. On the contrary, we have to acce…"
Explore Further
Related Quotes
"The Constitution of independent India adopted in January 1950 made things quite smooth for the Christian mi…"
— Sita Ram Goel"I have characterized education as a victory won over one's wish-fancies and childish egoism, as the lifting…"
— Everett Dean Martin"The basic premise of libertarianism is that each individual should be free to do as he or she pleases so lo…"
— Mary Ruwart"The laughter of the aphorism is sometimes triumphant, but seldom carefree."
— Mason Cooley"To reckon on anything at all, here or elsewhere, is to afford proofs that we are still burdened with chains…"
— Emil Cioran"Alternate currents, especially of high frequencies, pass with astonishing freedom through even slightly rar…"
— Nikola Tesla