When I was first here, we had the advantages of…

When I was first here, we had the advantages of the underdog. Now we have the disadvantages of the overdog.

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Other Abba Eban Quotes

Israel is not an aviary. - View Quote Details on Israel is not an aviary.
When the Council discusses what is to happen after the cease-fire, we hear many formulas: back to 1956, back to 1948–I understand our neighbors would wish to turn the clock back to 1947. The fact is, however, that most clocks move forward and not backward, and this, I think, should be the case with the clock of Middle Eastern peace–not backward to belligerency, but forward to peace. - View Quote Details on When the Council discusses what is to happen after the…
Lest Arab governments be tempted out of sheer routine to rush into impulsive rejection, let me suggest that tragedy is not what men suffer but what they miss. - View Quote Details on Lest Arab governments be tempted out of sheer routine to…
The Jews are the living embodiment of the minority, the constant reminder of what duties societies owe their minorities, whoever they might be. - View Quote Details on The Jews are the living embodiment of the minority, the…
If Algeria introduced a resolution declaring that the earth was flat and that Israel had flattened it, it would pass by a vote of 164 to 13 with 26 abstentions. - View Quote Details on If Algeria introduced a resolution declaring that the earth was…
Time and again these governments have rejected proposals today-and longed for them tomorrow. - View Quote Details on Time and again these governments have rejected proposals today-and longed…
History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives. - View Quote Details on History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once…
I think that this is the first war in history that on the morrow the victors sued for peace and the vanquished called for unconditional surrender. - View Quote Details on I think that this is the first war in history…
Israel was and is breathing only with a single lung. - View Quote Details on Israel was and is breathing only with a single lung.
People in our country and in many countries ask: what is the use of a United Nations presence if it is in effect an umbrella which is taken away as soon as it begins to rain? - View Quote Details on People in our country and in many countries ask: what…