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Quotes from Woodrow Wilson

From Martin Kelly,
Your Guide to American History.
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Wilson's Words

"Life does not consist in thinking, it consists in acting."

"If you think too much about being reelected, it is very difficult to be worth reelecting."

"I am not one of those who believe that a great standing army is the means of maintaining peace, because if you build up a great profession those who form parts of it want to exercise their profession."

"The Constitution was not made to fit us like a straitjacket. In its elasticity lies its chief greatness."

"I believe in democracy because it releases the energies of every human being."

"The Americans who went to Europe to die are a unique breed.... (They) crossed the seas to a foreign land to fight for a cause which they did not pretend was peculiarly their own, which they knew was the cause of humanity and mankind. These Americans gave the greatest of all gifts, the gift of life and the gift of spirit."

"One cool judgement is worth a thousand hasty counsels. The thing to do is to supply light and not heat."

"There is a price which is too great to pay for peace, and that price can be put in one word. One cannot pay the price of self-respect."

"The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make."

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