"We are trying to remake Vietnamese society, a task which certainly cannot be accomplished by force and which probably cannot be accomplished by any means available to outsiders"
- J. William Fulbright
About this Quote
This quote by J. William Fulbright speaks with the problem of remaking a society. He acknowledges that force is not the answer, and that outsiders might not have the means to achieve the task. This suggests that the procedure of remaking a society needs to originate from within, and that it is a challenging and intricate process. It is a suggestion that outsiders should not attempt to impose their own values and beliefs on a society, but rather should work to support the people of that society in their own efforts to produce a much better future. It is also a pointer that the procedure of remaking a society is a long and difficult one, which it requires perseverance and understanding.
"Having soon discovered to be great, I must appear so, and therefore studiously avoided mixing in society, and wrapped myself in mystery, devoting my time to fasting and prayer"
"Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. This is why any authentic creation is a gift to the future"