ByQuotes

Henry L. Stimson Quotes

Powerful Henry L. Stimson for Daily Growth

About Henry L. Stimson

Henry Lewis Stimson (September 21, 1867 – December 20, 1950) was an influential American politician and statesman who served as the U.S. Secretary of War under Presidents Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and again under President Harry S. Truman during the latter part of World War II. Stimson's political beliefs and career were significantly shaped by his upbringing in a wealthy, politically connected family in New York City. Born on September 21, 1867, in New York City to Henry Stimson Sr., a prominent lawyer and politician, and Maria Louisa Hall, Stimson attended private schools before earning his bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1888. Following graduation, he studied law at Harvard Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1890. Stimson began his career as a lawyer in New York City but soon found himself drawn to politics. He served as Assistant Secretary of State under President William Howard Taft from 1905-1909, and as Governor-General of the Philippines from 1909-1913. In these roles, he demonstrated a strong commitment to American expansionism and a belief in a robust U.S. presence on the global stage. In 1919, Stimson was appointed Secretary of State by President Warren G. Harding, serving until 1929. During his tenure, he played a key role in negotiating the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I and was instrumental in shaping U.S. foreign policy during the post-war period. Stimson's most notable service came as Secretary of War under Presidents Hoover and Roosevelt, from 1911 to 1945. During this time, he oversaw the buildup of the U.S. Army, the development of new military technology, and the implementation of the Neutrality Acts during World War II. After retiring from government service in 1945, Stimson returned to serve as Secretary of War once more under President Truman, playing a key role in the final stages of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War. Henry L. Stimson is remembered for his strong leadership, his commitment to American expansionism, and his significant impact on U.S. foreign policy during times of war and peace. His most notable works include "The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb," published in 1961, where he defended the decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I like my whiskey old and my women young."

This quote, attributed to Henry L. Stimson, is a metaphor often used in popular culture to express a preference for something that is of high quality or long-standing (old) alongside an appreciation for the youthful vitality and beauty of another (young women). However, it's important to note that such language can be considered disrespectful or inappropriate when applied to people. It's crucial to treat all individuals with respect and dignity, regardless of age.

"The only thing new in the world is the history you don't know."

This quote by Henry L. Stimson underscores the idea that knowledge of history is crucial for understanding the present and anticipating the future. By acknowledging the novelty of unfamiliar historical events, we can appreciate their impact on our current circumstances. In essence, he suggests that ignorance of history can lead to misunderstandings about the world around us.

"Going to war without a good reason is like going hunting without a gun."

This quote implies that justifying a conflict or engaging in a war requires a substantial reason, much like needing a weapon when hunting for food or protection. War has profound consequences, and entering into it should not be taken lightly. It's a caution to approach war strategically and thoughtfully, ensuring there are strong reasons to do so, and never to resort to conflict without proper cause or planning.

"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The truth is the whole truth; it should be served without mincemeat and let people judge for themselves."

Henry L. Stimson's quote emphasizes faith in the ability of the people to handle difficult situations if provided with accurate, unfiltered information. He suggests that people are capable of making sound decisions when faced with the whole truth, and should be trusted to do so without unnecessary interference or manipulation. In essence, he advocates for transparency and trust in the collective wisdom and judgment of the public.

"All war aims at the ultimate destruction of the enemy. That's military law: 'kill or be killed.' In conditions of modern warfare, all life is involved in the conflict."

This quote by Henry L. Stimson highlights the inherently destructive nature of war, suggesting that the ultimate objective for any combatant is to eliminate their adversary. He underscores this as a fundamental aspect of military strategy, stating the ruthless principle "kill or be killed." Moreover, he emphasizes that contemporary wars transcend conventional battlefields, involving not just military personnel but civilians and all life forms in a broad sense. This quote sheds light on the grim reality that war inevitably brings about devastation on multiple levels: human lives, communities, and natural environments.

I think it is very important that I should have a talk with you as soon as possible on a highly secret matter. I mentioned it to you shortly after you took office but have not urged it since on account of the pressure you have been under.

- Henry L. Stimson

Think, Very, Took, Urged

We had news this morning of another successful atomic bomb being dropped on Nagasaki. These two heavy blows have fallen in quick succession upon the Japanese and there will be quite a little space before we intend to drop another.

- Henry L. Stimson

Drop, Quick, Before, Intend

We think it will be shortly afterwards, but it seems a terrible thing to gamble with such big stakes in diplomacy without having your master card in your hand.

- Henry L. Stimson

Think, Big, Afterwards, Terrible Thing

The President so far has struck me as a man who is trying hard to keep his balance. He certainly has been very receptive to all my efforts in these directions.

- Henry L. Stimson

Been, Very, Certainly, Struck

As to the war with Japan, the President had already received my memorandum in general as to the possibility of getting a substantial unconditional surrender from Japan which I had written before leaving Washington and which he had approved.

- Henry L. Stimson

Before, Japan, Which, Unconditional

After I had gone through this matter with the President I told him of my condition of health and that my doctors felt that I must take a complete rest and that I thought that that meant leaving the Department finally in a short time.

- Henry L. Stimson

Thought, Through, Had, Department

The chief lesson I have learned in a long life is that the only way you can make a man trustworthy is to trust him; and the surest way to make him untrustworthy is to distrust him.

- Henry L. Stimson

Trust, Long Life, Learned, I Have Learned

Now the thing is not to get into unnecessary quarrels by talking too much and not to indicate any weakness by talking too much; let our actions speak for themselves.

- Henry L. Stimson

Actions Speak, Unnecessary, Indicate

Gentlemen don't read each other's mail.

- Henry L. Stimson

Other, Mail, Read, Gentlemen

There has been growing quite a strain of irritating feeling between our government and the Russians and it seems to me that it is a time for me to use all the restraint I can on these other people who have been apparently getting a little more irritated.

- Henry L. Stimson

Other, Been, Russians, Restraint

I told him that my own opinion was that the time now and the method now to deal with Russia was to keep our mouths shut and let our actions speak for words.

- Henry L. Stimson

Deal, Shut, Method, Actions Speak

The bomb and the entrance of the Russians into the war will certainly have an effect on hastening the victory.

- Henry L. Stimson

Will, Certainly, Russians, Entrance

We debated long over the situation for it is a very difficult question and all of us recognize its difficulty.

- Henry L. Stimson

Over, Difficulty, Very, Debated

I told him there was one city that they must not bomb without my permission and that was Kyoto.

- Henry L. Stimson

City, Must, Permission, Kyoto

Russia will occupy most of the good food lands of central Europe while we have the industrial portions. We must find some way of persuading Russia to play ball.

- Henry L. Stimson

Play, Some, Persuading, Europe

Over any such tangled wave of problems the S-1 secret would be dominant and yet we will not know until after that time probably, until after that meeting, whether this is a weapon in our hands or not.

- Henry L. Stimson

Hands, Over, Dominant, Meeting

The Japanese campaign involves therefore two great uncertainties; first, whether Russia will come in though we think that will be all right; and second, when and how S-1 will resolve itself.

- Henry L. Stimson

Think, Resolve, Though, Campaign

But I think the bomb instead constitutes merely a first step in a new control by man over the forces of nature too revolutionary and dangerous to fit into old concepts.

- Henry L. Stimson

Think, New, Over, Forces

It seems as if everybody in the country was getting impatient to get his or her particular soldier out of the Army and to upset the carefully arranged system of points for retirement which we had arranged with the approval of the Army itself.

- Henry L. Stimson

Country, Everybody, Which, Particular

The only deadly sin I know is cynicism.

- Henry L. Stimson

Sin, Only, Cynicism, Deadly

The only way to make a man trustworthy is to trust him.

- Henry L. Stimson

Trust, Man, Only, Trustworthy

I do not see how the Japanese can hold out against this united front.

- Henry L. Stimson

See, How, United, Japanese

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.