I think we Americans tend to put too high a price on unanimity, as if there were something dangerous and illegitimate about honest differences of opinion honestly expressed by honest men.
– James William Fulbright
In a democracy dissent is an act of faith. Like medicine, the test of its value is not in its taste, but in its effects.
– James William Fulbright
In the long course of history, having people who understand your thought is much greater security than another submarine.
– James William Fulbright
It's the one activity that gives me some hope that the human race won't commit suicide, though I still wouldn't count on it.
– James William Fulbright
We have the power to do any damn fool thing we want to do, and we seem to do it about every ten minutes.
– James William Fulbright
We must dare to think 'unthinkable' thoughts. We must learn to explore all the options and possibilities that confront us in a complex and rapidly changing world.
– James William Fulbright
I'm sure that President Johnson would never have pursued the war in Vietnam if he'd ever had a Fulbright to Japan, or say Bangkok, or had any feeling for what these people are like and why they acted the way they did. He was completely ignorant.
– James William Fulbright
The biggest lesson I learned from Vietnam is not to trust our own government statements. I had no idea until then that you could not rely on them.
– James William Fulbright
The exchange program is the thing that reconciles me to all the difficulties of political life.
– James William Fulbright
The junior senator from Wisconsin, by his reckless charges, has so preyed upon the fears and hatreds and prejudices of the American people that he has started a prairie fire which neither he nor anyone else may be able to control.
– James William Fulbright
There has been a strong tradition in this country that it is not the function of the military to educate the public on political issues.
– James William Fulbright
To be a statesman, you must first get elected.
– James William Fulbright
The price of empire is America's soul, and that price is too high.
– James William Fulbright
The citizen who criticizes his country is paying it an implied tribute.