"The ability to get to the verge without getting into the war is the necessary art. If you try to run away from it, if you are scared to go to the brink, you are lost"
- John Foster Dulles
About this Quote
John Foster Dulles was an American diplomat and Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower. In this quote, Dulles is emphasizing the importance of having the ability to browse the brink of war without really participating in it. He is recommending that if one is too scared to even approach the edge, they will be not able to find a serene resolution to the dispute. Dulles is advocating for a diplomatic approach to international relations, one that wants to take dangers and push boundaries in order to discover a tranquil solution. He is suggesting that if one is too shy to even approach the verge of war, they will be not able to discover a serene resolution. This quote is a reminder that diplomacy is a necessary art, which it is necessary to be happy to take threats in order to discover a tranquil option.