I must begin by saying something about the old Germany. That Germany, too, suffered from superficial judgment, because appearances and reality were not always kept apart in people's minds. Gustav Stresemann More Quotes by Gustav Stresemann More Quotes From Gustav Stresemann The economic position is only flourishing on the surface. Germany is in fact dancing on a volcano. If the short-term credits are called in, a large section of our economy would collapse. Gustav Stresemann volcanoes germany dancing Just as a child respects his father even when he perceives his weaknesses and faults, so a German will not despise the old Germany which was once a symbol of greatness to him. Gustav Stresemann greatness father children To contrast national solidarity and international cooperation as two opposites seems foolish to me. Gustav Stresemann stupid opposites two In every man the memory of the struggles and the heroes of the past is alive. But these memories are not incompatible with the desire for peace in the future. Gustav Stresemann struggle hero memories Just as the child is father to the man, so the impressions of one's youth remain the most vivid in manhood. Gustav Stresemann men father children Historians still often see the end of the war as meaning nothing more for Germany than lost territories, lost participation in colonization, and lost assets for the state and individuals. They frequently overlook the most serious loss that Germany suffered. Gustav Stresemann territory loss war The great men of a nation reach out to all mankind. They are unifying, not divisive; internationally conciliating and still great nationally. Gustav Stresemann reach-out mankind men Here we encounter two conflicting concepts with which we must come to grips in our time: the idea of national solidarity and the idea of international cooperation. Gustav Stresemann encounters two ideas As a result of the World War, this old Germany collapsed. It collapsed in its constitution, in its social order, in its economic structure. Its thinking and feeling changed. Gustav Stresemann war order thinking History uses a unit of measure for time that is different from that of the lifespan of the individual, whereas man is only too ready to measure the evolution of history by his own yardstick. Gustav Stresemann different use men A people that has experienced all that the Germans have been through, naturally offers fertile soil for the extremists. Gustav Stresemann offers soil people Just as the British subject loves England despite her faults, so we must insist that all Germans who were part of the old Germany and helped shape her, recognize the greatness and worthiness of present-day Germany. Gustav Stresemann germany greatness shapes To walk behind others on a road you are traveling together, to give precedence to others without envy - this is painful for an individual and painful for a nation. Gustav Stresemann envy together giving If one seeks to analyze experiences and reactions to the first postwar years, I hope one may say without being accused of bias that it is easier for the victor than for the vanquished to advocate peace. Gustav Stresemann prejudice peace years The life of the individual is a continuous combat with errors and obstacles, and no victory is more satisfying than the one achieved against opposition. Gustav Stresemann obstacles victory errors As a confirmed individualist I certainly do not wish to underrate the influence of the individual, for the masses do not lead the individual; rather, in the individual is vested the capacity to lead the masses. Gustav Stresemann individual influence wish No change in the balance of political parties can alter the general determination that no class should be excluded from contributing to and sharing responsibility for the state. Gustav Stresemann party determination change As a consequence of the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, the officer corps of the old army became part of this class, as did that part of the younger generation who, in the old Germany, would have become officers or civil servants. Gustav Stresemann germany army class During the past few years I have led a sometimes hard battle for German foreign policy. Gustav Stresemann battle past years Dante can be understood only within the context of Italian thought, and Faust would be unthinkable if divorced from its German background; but both are part of our common cultural heritage. Gustav Stresemann heritage italian would-be
