Quotes from James F. Byrnes

Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem more afraid of life than death.

The carrying out of the Potsdam Agreement has, however, been obstructed by the failure of the Allied Control Council to take the necessary steps to enable the German economy to function as an economic unit.

It will give them the opportunity to show themselves worthy of the respect and friendship of peace-loving nations, and in time, to take an honorable place among members of the United Nations.

Power intoxicates men. When a man is intoxicated by alcohol, he can recover, but when intoxicated by power, he seldom recovers.

We have helped to organize the United Nations. We believe it will stop aggressor nations from starting wars. Because we believe it, we intend to support the United Nations organization with all the power and resources we possess.

What we want is a lasting peace. We will oppose soft measures which invite the breaking of the peace.

It is not in the interest of the German people or in the interest of world peace that Germany should become a pawn or a partner in a military struggle for power between the East and the West.

Power intoxicates men. It is never voluntarily surrendered. It must be taken from them.

We have learned that peace and well-being are indivisible and that our peace and well-being cannot be purchased at the price of peace or the well-being of any other country.

Provision was also made for the distribution of Germany's foreign assets among the Allies.

The conditions which now exist in Germany make it impossible for industrial production to reach the levels which the occupying powers agreed were essential for a minimum German peacetime economy.

The working out of a balanced economy throughout Germany to provide the necessary means to pay for approved imports has not been accomplished, although that too is expressly required by the Potsdam Agreement.

Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem more afraid of life than death.

That was the principle of reparations to which President Truman agreed at Potsdam. And the United States will not agree to the taking from Germany of greater reparations than was provided by the Potsdam Agreement.

We intend to continue our interest in the affairs of Europe and of the world.

The American people want peace. They have long since ceased to talk of a hard or a soft peace for Germany.

Freedom from militarism will give the German people the opportunity, if they will but seize it, to apply their great energies and abilities to the works of peace.

Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They are more afraid of life than death.

German militarism and Nazism have devastated twice in our generation the lands of German neighbors.

Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity; they seem more afraid of life than of death.

The nearest approach to immortality on earth is a government bureau.

Important as economic unification is for the recovery of Germany and of Europe, the German people must recognize that the basic cause of their suffering and distress is the war which the Nazi dictatorship brought upon the world.

We favor the economic unification of Germany. If complete unification cannot be secured, we shall do everything in our power to secure the maximum possible unification.

The carrying out of the Potsdam Agreement has, however, been obstructed by the failure of the Allied Control Council to take the necessary steps to enable the German economy to function as an economic unit.