“My strong preference has always been to legislate when I can get legislation done.”

“Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country”

“Let's remember that our leadership is defined not just by our defence against threats, but by the enormous opportunities to do good and promote understanding.”

“When people are oppressed, and human rights are denied - particularly along sectarian lines or ethnic lines - when dissent is silenced, it feeds violent extremism, it creates an environment that is ripe for terrorists to exploit. When peaceful, democratic change is impossible, it feeds into the terrorist propaganda that violence is the only answer available.”

“I look at some of the kids that I interact with, and they were born with so many disadvantages. And you could start off in your first interaction with them saying, "Unless they get a lot of compensatory help, they're not going to be able to compete; they're just so far behind, and they're wounded and they're hurt."”

“Nobody wants to intervene in Russian affairs. Russia is a very large country, a very old country, a very disagreeable country inhabited by immense numbers of ignorant people largely possessed of lethal weapons and in a state of extreme disorder. Also Russia is a long way off.”

“That long (Canadian) frontier from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, guarded only by neighbourly respect and honourable obligations, as an example to every country and a pattern for the future of the world.”

“Everybody has always underrated the Russians. They keep their own secrets alike from foe and friends.”

“If you meet a sectary, or a hostile partisan, never recognize the dividing lines; but meet on what common ground remains,--if onlythat the sun shines, and the rain rains for both; the area will widen very fast, and ere you know it the boundary mountains, on which the eye had fastened, have melted into air.”

“Though your views are in straight antagonism to theirs, assume an identity of sentiment, assume that you are saying precisely thatwhich all think, and in the flow of wit and love roll out your paradoxes in solid column, with not the infirmity of a doubt.”

“The real and lasting victories are those of peace, and not of war.”

“I have trod a measure, I have flattered a lady, I havebeen politic with my friend, smooth with mine enemy.”

“Come, go with us, speak fair; you may salve so,Not what is dangerous present, but the losOf what is past.”

“Shall we upon the footing of our landSend fair-play orders, and make compromise,Insinuation, parley, and base truce,To arms invasive?”

“This we prescribe, though no physician; Deep malice makes too deep incision; Forget, forgive; conclude and be agreed; Our doctors say this is no month to bleed.”

“Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as day does night; it's spritely, waking, audible, and full of vent.”

“So, good night unto you all. Give me your hands, if we be friends, and Robin shall restore amends.”

“The horn, the horn, the lusty horn Is not a thing to laugh to scorn.”

“Give obedience where 'tis truly owed.”

“The due of honor in no point omit.”

“Not all the water in the rough rude sea Can wash the balm from an anointed King.”

“There is no king or sovereign stateThat can fix a hero's rate;Each to all is venerable.”

“No peace can last, or ought to last, which does not recognize and accept the principle that governments derive all their just powers from the consent of the governed, and that no right anywhere exists to hand peoples from sovereignty to sovereignty as if they were property.”