Gustav Stresemann

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

This old Germany was partly defeated in its conflict with the progressive ideas of socialism, for it had given the people nothing that could serve as a successful alternative to socialism. ”

In every man the memory of the struggles and the heroes of the past is alive. But these memories are not incompatible with the desire for peace in the future. ”

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

Nothing is more misleading to the youth of a nation than to state the outcome immediately after the beginning as if nothing could have taken place in between. ”

As a consequence of the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, the officer corps of the old army became part of this class, as did that part of the younger generation who, in the old Germany, would have become officers or civil servants. ”

To walk behind others on a road you are traveling together, to give precedence to others without envy - this is painful for an individual and painful for a nation. ”

Just as the British subject loves England despite her faults, so we must insist that all Germans who were part of the old Germany and helped shape her, recognize the greatness and worthiness of present-day Germany. ”

If one seeks to analyze experiences and reactions to the first postwar years, I hope one may say without being accused of bias that it is easier for the victor than for the vanquished to advocate peace. ”

As a confirmed individualist I certainly do not wish to underrate the influence of the individual, for the masses do not lead the individual; rather, in the individual is vested the capacity to lead the masses. ”