Elimination of nuclear weapons, so naive, so simplistic, and so idealistic as to be quixotic? Some may think so. But as human beings, citizens of nations with power to influence events in the world, can we be at peace with ourselves if we strive for less? I think not.

It is true that at the time [1962] we had a strategic nuclear force of approximately five thousand warheads compared to the Soviet's three hundred.

What makes it immoral if you lose and not immoral if you win?

Poor planning or poor execution of plans is simply to let some force other than reason shape reality.

I think the human race needs to think about killing. How much evil must we do to do good?

The greatest contribution Vietnam is making-right or wrong is beside the point-is that it is developing an ability in the United States to fight a limited war, to go to war without the necessity of arousing the public ire.

That's one of the major lessons: no president should ever take this nation to war without full public debate in the Congress and/or in the public.