"Clearly, a civilization that feels guilty for everything it is and does will lack the energy and conviction to defend itself."

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Added on April 10, 2026
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Academics from FrancePhilosophers from FranceJournalists from FranceColumnistsPeople from Marseille
Original Language: English

Sources

This quote was used, and attributed to Jean-Francois Revel, by Jeane Kirkpatrick in her August 20, 1984 speech to the Republican national convention in Dallas, Texas. As cited in Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History (rev.), ed. William Safire, W. W. Norton & Co. (2004), p. 1029 , 9780393059311