""Balance of power" means only this—that a number of weaker States may unite to prevent a stronger one from acquiring a power which should be dangerous to them, and which should overthrow their independence, their liberty, and their freedom of action. It is the doctrine of self-preservation. It is the doctrine of self-defence, with the simple qualification that it is combined with sagacity and with forethought, and an endeavour to prevent imminent danger before it comes thundering at your doors."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Lord Palmerston, speech in the House of Commons (31 March 1854)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Balance_of_power_(international_relations)
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Balance of power (international relations)
9 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Balance of power (international relations) →
Related Quotes
"An equal distribution of Power among the Princes of Europe as makes it impractical for the one to disturb the repose …"
"As super-powers had successively risen towards domination of the Western World, from Spain to Imperial Germany, Engla…"
"The balance of power had been ever assumed as the known common law of Europe at all times and by all powers: the ques…"
"History shows that the danger threatening the independence of this or that nation has generally arisen, at least in p…"
"Ranke had faith in the capacity of the great powers to strike a balance with one another, and thereby to avoid that d…"
"Action by a state to keep its neighbours from becoming too strong...because the aggrandisement of one nation beyond a…"
"Almost any student who has read the usual books, if he were asked to mark what was the foremost idea of the three cen…"
"The continual attention of sovereigns to every occurrence, the constant residence of ministers, and the perpetual neg…"
"[The Balfour Declaration is] the root of the suffering of the Palestinian people and paved the way for the violation …"
"The Balfour Declaration is unacceptable, it was not just a declaration, but a birth certificate of a state with lette…"