History provides no precise guidelines. Douglas Hurd More Quotes by Douglas Hurd More Quotes From Douglas Hurd Diplomacy is unfashionable in the world of knee-jerk reaction and the dogmatic sound bite on television. Douglas Hurd knee-jerk-reactions knees sound If Margaret Thatcher had been Prime Minister at the time, there would have been no Treaty of Maastricht. Douglas Hurd ministers treaties prime War on Iraq runs the risk of turning the Middle East into an inexhaustible recruiting ground for anti- western terrorism. Douglas Hurd iraq running war There are thus great swathes of the past where understanding is more important and reputable than judgement, because the principal actors performed in line with the ideas and values of that time, not of ours. Douglas Hurd understanding past ideas Prison is an expensive way of making bad people worse. Douglas Hurd prison people way People know they are lacking something, they are constantly wanting some kind of spiritual guidance. Douglas Hurd kind spiritual people We should be wary of politicians who profess to follow history while only noticing those signposts of history that point in the direction which they themselves already favour. Douglas Hurd favour politician should Some people find it difficult to argue with a woman Prime Minister and shrivel up. Douglas Hurd ministers arguing people Silence is regarded as a sort of sin now, and it has to be filled with a lot of gossip and soundbites. Douglas Hurd gossip sin silence We, Britain and Germany, can neither of us be happy about our handling of the Iraq war. Douglas Hurd germany iraq war Wisely used history can give pleasure and provide us with a useful tool; but we should not become its slaves. Douglas Hurd slave tools giving People are very interested in politics, they just don't like it labelled 'politics'. Douglas Hurd people Men like Hitler and Stalin and their immediate lieutenants cannot plead in defence of their actions that these were justified by the accepted values of that time. Douglas Hurd justified action men Margaret Thatcher was fearful of German unification because she believed that this would bring an immediate and formidable increase of economic strength to a Germany which was already the strongest economic partner in Europe. Douglas Hurd economic germany europe The tragedy of 9/11 galvanised the American superpower into action, leaving us in Europe divided in its wake. Douglas Hurd leaving europe america No military timetable should compel war when a successful outcome, namely a disarmed Iraq may be feasible without war, for example by allowing more time to the UN inspectors. Douglas Hurd military successful war Ten Downing Street is a house, not an office. That is its most important characteristic. Douglas Hurd downing-street office house We must admit that history is enjoyable to a large extent because it enables us to pass judgment on the past. Douglas Hurd enjoyable judgment past It is normal for politicians in all countries to profess themselves the pupils of history, anxious to draw the right lessons from her teaching. Douglas Hurd lessons teaching country Margaret Thatcher, growing up in a bombed and battered Britain, derived a distrust which has grown with the years not just of Germany but of all continental Europe. Douglas Hurd growing-up europe years
