Adenauer Quotes & Sayings

If Adenauer were here with us in the sauna, we could see for ourselves that Germany is and will remain divided but also that Germany never will rise again. — Nikita Khrushchev

All that the socialists understand about money is the fact that they want it from others. — Konrad Adenauer

All human organs eventually tire, only the tongue doesn't. — Konrad Adenauer

The rare case where the conquered is very satisfied with the conqueror. — Konrad Adenauer

In view of the fact that God limited the intelligence of man, it seems unfair that He did not also limit his stupidity. — Konrad Adenauer

An infallible method of conciliating a tiger is to allow oneself to be devoured. — Konrad Adenauer

And who is the hero of that story? Who slew the dragon [totalitarianism]? Yes, it was the ordinary man, the taxpayer, the grunt who fought and won the wars. Yes, it was America and its allies. Yes, it was the great leaders: FDR, de Gaulle, Adenauer, Truman, John Paul II, Thatcher, Reagan. But above all, victory required one man without whom the fight would have been lost at the beginning. It required Winston Churchill. — Charles Krauthammer

You have to take people as they are because there are no others. — Konrad Adenauer

First make yourself unpopular, then you will be taken seriously. — Konrad Adenauer

The art of politics consists in knowing precisely when it is necessary to hit an opponent slightly below the belt. — Konrad Adenauer

All parts of the human body get tired eventually - except the tongue. — Konrad Adenauer

When the world seems large and complex, we need to remember that great world ideals all begin in some home neighborhood. — Konrad Adenauer

God designed the stomach to eject what is bad for it, but not the human brain. — Konrad Adenauer

We all live under the same sky, but we don't all have the same horizon. In an instant age, perhaps we must relearn the ancient truth that patience, too, has its victories. — Konrad Adenauer

To look back into the past only makes sense if it serves the future. — Konrad Adenauer

The good Lord set definite limits on man's wisdom, but set no limits on his stupidity. — Konrad Adenauer

There are things about which I don't even talk to myself. — Konrad Adenauer

The Good Lord hasn't done this well: He placed limits on everything, except on stupidity. — Konrad Adenauer

Thoughts and pictures come to my mind, ... thoughts from before the year 1914 when there was real peace, quiet and security on this earth-a time when we didn't know fear ... Security and quiet have disappeared from the lives of men since 1914. — Konrad Adenauer

Experiences are the seeds out of which wisdom grows. — Konrad Adenauer

A thick hide is a gift from God. — Konrad Adenauer

Kennedy cooked the soup that Johnson had to eat. — Konrad Adenauer

As soon as you are complicated, you are ineffectual. — Konrad Adenauer

History is the sum total of things that could have been avoided. — Konrad Adenauer

When everybody else thinks it's the end, we have to begin. — Konrad Adenauer

The attack on Dresden, which was overflowing with refugees, on February 13th 1945 caused around 250,000 dead. — Konrad Adenauer

A thick skin is a gift from God. — Konrad Adenauer

The raids on Freedom House, the National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute, the Adenauer Foundation, and other groups helping Egyptians move toward respect for democratic politics and human rights were of a piece with the practices of Hosni Mubarak - only bolder and more repressive. — Elliott Abrams

I do not ask to be young again; all I want is to go on getting older. — Konrad Adenauer

Only the stupidest calves choose their own butcher. — Konrad Adenauer