Abba Eban was an Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel from 1966 to 1974. Known for his eloquence and wit, Eban played a crucial role in shaping Israel’s foreign policy and advocating for its interests on the global stage. Throughout his career, he delivered numerous memorable speeches and interviews, leaving behind a wealth of insightful quotes. In this article, we will explore some of the most notable Abba Eban quotes that continue to resonate today.
Read these Abba Eban quotes
“History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives.”
“The Palestinians never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.”
“You can’t achieve peace by disarming the democracies and arming the dictatorships.”
“History teaches us that concessions only enslave nations and invite further aggression.”
“Men and nations behave wisely when they have exhausted all the other alternatives.”
“Consensus is what many people say in chorus but do not believe as individuals.”
“A consensus means that everyone agrees to say collectively what no one believes individually.”
“Better to be disliked than pitied.”
“Nations never recognize their true interests until they have exhausted all other alternatives.”
“A nation’s primary task is to teach its citizens how to learn.”
“Diplomats are useful only in fair weather. As soon as it rains, they drown in every drop.”
“A language is a homeland, and native speakers are its citizens.”
“The Jews are the living embodiment of the minority, the constant reminder of what duties societies owe their minorities, whoever they might be.”
“A consensus means that everyone agrees to say collectively what no one believes individually.”
“To make peace with an enemy, one must work with that enemy and that enemy becomes one’s partner.”
“The world is full of people who never quite get into the first team and who just miss the prizes at the flower show.”
“I think that this lack of a sense of responsibility, this refusal to accept the need for a common effort, is one of the great tragedies of our time.”
“There is no shortage of good days. It is good lives that are hard to come by.”
“The Jews have opened to others the opportunity to live with dignity, self-respect, and the possibility of economic independence, even in the face of adversity.”
“If Algeria introduced a resolution declaring that the earth was flat and that Israel had flattened it, it would pass by a vote of 164 to 13 with 26 abstentions.”
“The major difference between the United States and the Soviet Union is that the United States is a global power while the Soviet Union is a regional power.”
These Abba Eban quotes offer a glimpse into the wisdom and wit of a remarkable statesman. His ability to articulate complex ideas in a concise and thought-provoking manner is truly impressive. Whether discussing international relations, diplomacy, or the Jewish people, Eban’s words continue to inspire and resonate with audiences around the world.
