The advance of liberty is the path to both a safer and better world. George W. Bush, Speech to UN General Assembly, September 21, 2004 More Quotes by George W. Bush, Speech to UN General Assembly, September 21, 2004 More Quotes From George W. Bush, Speech to UN General Assembly, September 21, 2004 For too long, many nations, including my own, tolerated, even excused, oppression in the Middle East in the name of stability. Oppression became common, but stability never arrived. We must take a different approach. We must help the reformers of the Middle East as they work for freedom, and strive to build a community of peaceful, democratic nations. George W. Bush, Speech to UN General Assembly, September 21, 2004 The desire for freedom resides in every human heart. And that desire cannot be contained forever by prison walls, or martial laws, or secret police. Over time, and across the Earth, freedom will find a way. George W. Bush, Speech to UN General Assembly, September 21, 2004 We know that dictators are quick to choose aggression, while free nations strive to resolve differences in peace. We know that oppressive governments support terror, while free governments fight the terrorists in their midst. We know that free peoples embrace progress and life, instead of becoming the recruits for murderous ideologies. George W. Bush, Speech to UN General Assembly, September 21, 2004