"The first condition of success for the League of Nations is, therefore, a firm understanding between the British Empire and the United States of America and France and Italy that there will be no competitive building up of fleets or armies between them."

History

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Thematic Reflection

This quotation examines the core nature of History as articulated by Arthur Henderson. Within historical and literary traditions, reflections on History provide actionable mental models, challenging individuals to evaluate personal ethics, self-discipline, and daily actions.

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About Arthur Henderson

Arthur Henderson was a British iron moulder and Labour politician. He was the first Labour cabinet minister, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1934 and, uniquely, served three separate terms as Leader of the Labour Party in three different decades, and was elected to parliament in five by-elections in different constituencies. He was popular among his colleagues, who called him "Uncle Arthur" in acknowledgement of his integrity, his devotion to the cause and his imperturbability. He was a transitional figure whose policies were, at first, close to those of the Liberal Party. The trades unions rejected his emphasis on arbitration and conciliation, and thwarted his goal of unifying the Labour Party and the trade unions.

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More by Arthur Henderson

"We had four years of world war which the peoples endured only because they were told that their sufferings would free humanity forever from the scourge of war."

— Arthur Henderson
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"In short, it may be said that on paper the obligations to settle international disputes peacefully are now so comprehensive and far-reaching that it is almost impossible for a state to resort to war without violating one or more solemn treaty obligations."

— Arthur Henderson
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"Those nations have a very great responsibility at this juncture of the world's affairs, for by throwing their joint weight into the scales of history on the right side, they may tip the balance decisively in favour of peace."

— Arthur Henderson
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"It is because I believe that it is in the power of such nations to lead the world back into the paths of peace that I propose to devote myself to explaining what, in my opinion, can and should be done to banish the fear of war that hangs so heavily over the world."

— Arthur Henderson
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More about History

"That is a Medieval way of drawing history, in which they do not respect the law and want the rest of the world to respect the law. That's not possible."

— Emir Kusturica
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"One must always maintain one's connection to the past and yet ceaselessly pull away from it."

— Gaston Bachelard
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"Do not hurry what nature takes seasons to unfold. A lesson woven into the fabric of human history."

— Laura Abbot
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"History is an account, mostly false, of events, mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, mostly knaves, and soldiers, mostly fools."

— Ambrose Bierce
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