38 Quotes by Henry L. Stimson

History is often not what actually happened but what is recorded as such.

Their racial characteristics are such that we cannot understand or trust even the citizen Japanese.

History knows no greater display of courage than that shown by the people of the Soviet Union.

If you are going to try to go to war, or to prepare for war, in a capitalist country, you have got to let business make money out of the process or business won't work.

When the news first came that Japan had attacked us my first feeling was of relief that ... a crisis had come in a way which would unite all our people. This continued to be my dominant feeling in spite of the news of catastrophes which quickly developed.

We face the delicate question of the diplomatic fencing to be done so as to be sure Japan is put into the wrong and makes the first bad move. ... The question was how we should maneuver them [the Japanese] into the position of firing the first shot.

Honor begets honor; trust begets trust; faith begets faith; and hope is the mainspring of life.

Gentlemen don't read each other's mail.

If you are going to try to go to war, or to prepare for war, in a capitalist country, you have got to let business make money out of the process or business won’t work.