conflict quotes

There is no nation on the continent of Europe that is less able to do harm to England, and there isno nation on the continent of Europe to whom we are less able to do harm, than Russia.We are so separate that it seems impossible that the two nations, by the use of reason or common sense at all, could possibly be brought into conflict with each other.

-John Bright
  Speech, Birmingham,13  Jan.

How beautiful is all this visible world! How glorious in its action and itself! But we, who name ourselves its sovereigns, we, Half dust, half deity, alike unfit To sink or soar, with our mixed essence make A conflict of its elements, and breathe The breath of degradation and of pride.

-Rochdale
  Manfred, act1, sc.2.

Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many, to so few.

- Lord Randolph Henry Spencer Churchill
  On theBattle of Britain pilots. Speech, House of Commons, 20  Aug.

We are not at war with Egypt.We are in armed conflict.

- Sir (Robert) Anthony, 1st Earl of Avon Eden
  On the Suez crisis, House of Commons, 4 Nov.

The new, old, and constantly changing language of politics is a lexicon of conflict and drama†ridicule and reproach†pleading and persuasion.

-William Safire
  Safire's Political Dictionary, introduction.