John Foster Quotes

Powerful John Foster for Daily Growth

About John Foster

John Foster Dulles (February 25, 1888 – May 24, 1959) was a prominent American statesman, diplomat, and lawyer who served as the 52nd United States Secretary of State from 1953 to 1959. Born in Washington D.C., he hailed from an influential family; his father, John Watson Foster, also served as U.S. Secretary of State. Dulles attended Princeton University, where he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society and graduated with a degree in law. He went on to receive a master's degree from Balliol College, Oxford, thanks to a Rhodes Scholarship. Dulles began his career as a lawyer but soon transitioned into diplomacy, working for the U.S. Department of State during World War I and serving as legal adviser at the League of Nations. In 1946, President Harry S. Truman appointed Dulles as the first Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where he implemented sweeping changes to improve its operations. His tenure was marked by a focus on counterintelligence and covert action, setting the stage for the CIA's future role in U.S. foreign policy. During the Eisenhower administration, Dulles became Secretary of State in 1953. He is best known for his "brinkmanship" approach to foreign policy, which aimed to use aggressive tactics to deter potential adversaries while avoiding direct military conflict. This strategy was exemplified during the Suez Crisis and the Hungarian Revolution, where he resisted intervening militarily. Dulles' major work as Secretary of State includes the 1954 Treaty of Peace with Japan and his "dollar diplomacy," which aimed to contain communist expansion by providing economic aid to developing countries. Despite his strong anti-communist stance, he played a crucial role in the negotiation of the 1955 Austrian State Treaty, effectively ending the Allied occupation of Austria. John Foster Dulles's legacy remains controversial, with critics arguing that his aggressive tactics contributed to escalating tensions during the Cold War. However, he is remembered as a significant figure in U.S. diplomatic history who played an instrumental role in shaping American foreign policy during the post-World War II era.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We must be the change we wish to see in the world."

This quote by John Foster Dulles emphasizes personal responsibility in bringing about desired changes in society. It suggests that instead of waiting for others to make positive changes, individuals should actively work towards enacting those changes themselves, serving as examples and influencers for a better world. In other words, to achieve the transformation we aspire for, we must embody it first within ourselves.


"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education."

This quote emphasizes the importance of education in cultivating critical thinking skills and fostering strong character traits. John Foster Dulles, a former United States Secretary of State, suggests that education should not only focus on intellectual development but also on shaping well-rounded individuals with good moral character. In essence, he believes that the goal of true education is to produce individuals who can think deeply and objectively, equipped with both intelligence and strong personal values.


"The future belongs to those who prepare for it today."

The quote emphasizes that success in the future is dependent on the actions taken today. It's a call to proactivity, encouraging individuals to prepare diligently now to shape their tomorrow. This could apply to personal growth, career development, or any area of life where progress requires planning and effort. In other words, seizing opportunities today will determine the outcomes we experience in the future.


"You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result."

This quote emphasizes that taking action, even without immediate or certain outcomes, is essential for progress. Inactivity leads to no results. It encourages individuals to take steps towards their goals, understanding that the consequences may not always be predictable or instant, but inaction guarantees stagnation and no advancement.


"When we hate our enemies, we are changing ourselves, in just the way the other person is doing so. We can't afford to hate them; where there is hate, there can be no peace."

This quote underscores the destructive and self-defeating nature of hatred. It suggests that when we harbor hatred towards others, we are not only causing harm to our enemies but also changing ourselves for the worse in a negative and counterproductive manner. The antidote to this vicious cycle, according to John Foster, is to reject hatred and strive for peace instead. This quote emphasizes the importance of understanding that our actions and emotions have far-reaching consequences, not only on others but also on ourselves, making it essential to promote love, empathy, and peaceful resolution of conflicts in our interactions with others.


The awesomeness of God is that even in the works of the Beach Boys, Beatles, etc., the beauty of the music is a mere reflection of what God does everyday. He creates music of all kinds and moods.

- John Foster

Beauty, Reflection, Works, Etc

I had lived in Fukuoka during the mid 1990s, and I was a volunteer with the Fukuoka Asian Film Festival.

- John Foster

Volunteer, Festival, Asian

There aren't many American directors here trying to direct a Japanese yakuza film. When you combine that with the fact that I don't speak much Japanese and this was an independent film I was financing myself - people were curious about what I was doing.

- John Foster

Doing, Fact, Here, Financing

Since my Japanese isn't very good, I had to have an interpreter to communicate with most of the crew.

- John Foster

Japanese, Most, Very, Interpreter

To me, Shakespeare uses the supernatural elements to reveal his character's inner desires and fears.

- John Foster

Character, Reveal, His, Shakespeare

As you can probably tell, I like films and directors that bring a totally unique style to filming action.

- John Foster

Tell, Like, Films, Filming

And, of course, supernatural elements just make a story more interesting.

- John Foster

Interesting, More, Course, Elements

I didn't really discover yakuza films until about five or six years ago.

- John Foster

Six, About, Films, Discover

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