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Unfortunately, the true force which propels our endless political disputes, our constant struggles for political advantage, is often not our burning concern for democracy, it is often of our dedication to the principle of the rule of law.

Nothing turns out to be so oppressive and unjust as a feeble government.

Old forms of government finally grow so oppressive that they must be thrown off even at the risk of reigns of terror.

The most important point is, in a time of crisis, there is no way out but for the government to be bold and aggressive.

Engagement is not appeasement. Engagement is not surrender.

We can define the rules of police-citizen engagement, but everyday decisions will always be made by men and women in uniform, on the street, in the community, under extreme pressure, in a dangerous world where guns easily fall into the wrong hands.

Over many years, the United States has worked to persuade and compel governments around the world to abide by the rules. By spurning our own rules, we put that effort at risk.

As a tactic, violence is absurd. No one can compete with the Government in violence, and the resort to violence, which will surely fail, will simply frighten and alienate some who can be reached, and will further encourage the ideologists and administrators of forceful repression.

It has too often been too easy for rulers and governments to incite man to war.