Conor Cruise O'Brien Quotes & Sayings

Today, as a result of the policy of Macmillan's Government, Great Britain presents in the United Nations the face of Pecksniff and in Katanga the face of Gradgrind. — Conor Cruise O'Brien

The sea which we think of separating the two island actually joins them. — Conor Cruise O'Brien

British diplomats, constantly exposed to American political-ethical rhetoric, find their professional skills tested to the limits by the need to keep a straight face. For illustrations of what I mean, study the photographs of the expressions worn by Mr Douglas Hurd at any international conference involving all the Western allies. — Conor Cruise O'Brien

In the last century the Arab thinker Jamal al-Afghani wrote: 'Every Muslim is sick and his only remedy is in the Koran.' Unfortunately the sickness gets worse the more the remedy is taken. — Conor Cruise O'Brien

Nothing does more to activate Christian divisions than talk about Christian unity. — Conor Cruise O'Brien

A good man giving bad advice is more dangerous than a nasty man giving bad advice. — Conor Cruise O'Brien

The United Nations cannot do anything, and never could; it is not an animate entity or agent. It is a place, a stage, a forum and a shrine ... a place to which powerful people can repair when they are fearful about the course on which their own rhetoric seems to be propelling them. — Conor Cruise O'Brien

Human nature doesn't include all human beings. There are human beings who are indifferent to politics, religion, virtually anything. — Conor Cruise O'Brien

You can safely appeal to the United Nations in the comfortable certainty that it will let you down. — Conor Cruise O'Brien

Man watches his history on the screen with apathy and an occasional passing flicker of horror or indignation. — Conor Cruise O'Brien

The main thing that endears the United Nations to member governments, and so enables it to survive, is its proven capacity to fail, and to be seen to fail. — Conor Cruise O'Brien

You are not an agnostic ... You are just a fat slob who is too lazy to go to Mass. — Conor Cruise O'Brien

Irishness is not primarily a question of birth or blood or language; it is the condition of being involved in the Irish situation, and usually of being mauled by it. — Conor Cruise O'Brien