I knew this morning that I was going to make a speech that … - Aneurin Bevan

" "
I knew this morning that I was going to make a speech that would offend, and even hurt, many of my friends. I know that you are deeply convinced that the action you suggest is the most effective way of influencing international affairs. I am deeply convinced that you are wrong. It is therefore not a question of who is in favour of the hydrogen bomb, but a question of what is the most effective way of getting the damn thing destroyed. It is the most difficult of all problems facing mankind. But if you carry this resolution and follow out all its implications — and do not run away from it — you will send a British Foreign Secretary, whoever he may be, naked into the conference chamber. ... And you call that statesmanship? I call it an emotional spasm.

Aneurin Bevan

Sources available for members. Sign up free to see where this quote comes from

English

Collect this quote

About Aneurin Bevan

Aneurin Bevan (15 November 1897 – 6 July 1960) was a Welsh Labour Party politician who is best known for overseeing the creation of the National Health Service in the Labour government after World War II. Bevan, a left-winger, was intermittently in trouble with the Labour leadership; in the 1950s he astonished his supporters by opposing unilateral nuclear disarmament. He overcame a speech impediment and was regarded as one of the most eloquent public speakers of his day.

Also Known As

Alternative Names: Nye Bevan

All quotes from Aneurin Bevan Similar Quotes by other Originators

Originators like Aneurin Bevan:

Margaret Thatcher Tony Benn Ramsay MacDonald Clement Attlee Michael Foot

Additional quotes by Aneurin Bevan

There is only one hope for mankind — and that is democratic Socialism.

I deplore the letter today in The Times from a distinguished orthopaedist, who talked about private practice as though it should be the glory of the profession. What should be the glory of the profession is that a doctor should be able to meet his patients with no financial anxiety.

[W]e ought to take pride in the fact that, despite our financial and economic anxieties, we are still able to do the most civilised thing in the world—put the welfare of the sick in front of every other consideration.

I knew this morning that I was going to make a speech that would offend, and even hurt, many of my friends. I know that you are deeply convinced that… - Aneurin Bevan

About Aneurin Bevan

Also Known As

Enhance Your Quote Experience

Additional quotes by Aneurin Bevan

Try QuoteGPT