Consensus is what many people say in chorus but do not believe as individuals.

Human beings act intelligently only after they have exhausted the alternatives

If Algeria introduced a resolution declaring that the earth was flat and that Israel had flattened it, it would pass by a vote of 164 to 13 with 26 abstentions.

History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives.

A consensus means that everyone agrees to say collectively what no one believes individually.

A statesman who keeps his ear permanently glued to the ground will have neither elegance of posture nor flexibility of movement.

You can't achieve anything without getting in someone's way. You can't be detached and effective.