Politics

Winston Churchill on Appeasement

From Adam Gopnik’s write-up of the latest crop of Churchill literature in one of this […]

David Zahl / 1.4.11

From Adam Gopnik’s write-up of the latest crop of Churchill literature in one of this past summer’s New Yorkers, a pretty radical departure from the rhetoric Winnie normally gets credit for (ht JD:

What is Churchill’s true legacy? Surely not that one should stand foursquare on all occasions and at all moments against something called appeasement. “The word ‘appeasement’ is not popular, but appeasement has its place in all policy,” he said in 1950. “Make sure you put it in the right place. Appease the weak, defy the strong.” He argued that “appeasement from strength is magnanimous and noble and might be the surest and perhaps the only path to world peace.” And he remarked on the painful irony: “When nations or individuals get strong they are often truculent and bullying, but when they are weak they become better-mannered. But this is the reverse of what is healthy and wise.”

COMMENTS

4 responses to “Winston Churchill on Appeasement”

Michael Cooper says:

01/04/2011 at 7:26 pm

I am starting out the new year in a particularly cranky mood, as might be guessed, but even I like this one.

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StampDawg says:

01/04/2011 at 7:53 pm

All the Mockingbird world loves a cranky MC Hammer. What a poor and bland world it would be without at least one.

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Michael Cooper says:

01/04/2011 at 8:01 pm

Stampdawg, you are absolutely the best. In heaven, I hope to be half as genuinely gracious as you are now 😉

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Mr. T says:

01/05/2011 at 1:37 am

Love it. I'd never read that quote. I love these:

In War: Resolution
In Defeat: Defiance
In Victory: Magnanimity
In Peace: Good Will
– Churchill

Is @ the beginning of each vol. of his 6 vol. history of WWII.

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Winston Churchill on Appeasement

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4 responses to “Winston Churchill on Appeasement”

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