For the balance of power is never static; its components are in constant flux.
HENRY KISSINGERFor the balance of power is never static; its components are in constant flux.
HENRY KISSINGERThere can’t be a crisis next week, my schedule is already full.
HENRY KISSINGERWe live in a wondrous time, in which the strong is weak because of his scruples and the weak grows strong because of his audacity.
HENRY KISSINGERIt is not a matter of what is true that counts, but a matter of what is perceived to be true.
HENRY KISSINGERA more immediate issue concerns North Korea, to which Bismarck’s nineteenth-century aphorism surely applies: We live in a wondrous time, in which the strong is weak because of his scruples and the weak grows strong because of his audacity.
HENRY KISSINGERIntellectuals analyze the operations of international systems; statesmen build them.
HENRY KISSINGERIn short, the end justifies the means.
HENRY KISSINGERThe nice thing about being a celebrity is that if you bore people they think it’s their fault.
HENRY KISSINGERPower without legitimacy tempts tests of strength; legitimacy without power tempts empty posturing.
HENRY KISSINGERIf chess is about the decisive battle, wei qi is about the protracted campaign. The chess player aims for total victory. The wei qi player seeks relative advantage.
HENRY KISSINGERIn effect, none of the most important countries which must build a new world order have had any experience with the multi-state system that is emerging. Never before has a new world order had to be assembled from so many different perceptions, or on so global a scale.
HENRY KISSINGERAmericans have a tendency to believe that when there’s a problem there must be a solution.
HENRY KISSINGERThe issues are too important to be left for the voters.
HENRY KISSINGERin international affairs a reputation for reliability is a more important asset than demonstrations of tactical cleverness.
HENRY KISSINGERLater I learned to improve my forecasting—if necessary by asking the visitor in advance what subjects he intended to raise with Nixon.
HENRY KISSINGERA leader does not deserve the name unless he is willing occasionally to stand alone.
HENRY KISSINGER