Historians still often see the end of the war as meaning nothing more for Germany than lost territories, lost participation in colonization, and lost assets for the state and individuals. They frequently overlook the most serious loss that Germany suffered.

Here we encounter two conflicting concepts with which we must come to grips in our time: the idea of national solidarity and the idea of international cooperation.

Dante can be understood only within the context of Italian thought, and Faust would be unthinkable if divorced from its German background; but both are part of our common cultural heritage.

Just as the child is father to the man, so the impressions of one's youth remain the most vivid in manhood.

The great men of a nation reach out to all mankind. They are unifying, not divisive; internationally conciliating and still great nationally.

The life of the individual is a continuous combat with errors and obstacles, and no victory is more satisfying than the one achieved against opposition.

During the past few years I have led a sometimes hard battle for German foreign policy.