WORDS FROM A GREAT MIND

Willy Brandt Quotes

German chancellor & advocate of détente

Born: 1913
Died: 1992
Lived in: Lübeck, Berlin & Bonn, Germany; Norway & Sweden

Willy Brandt served as chancellor of West Germany and pursued reconciliation with Eastern Europe. His peace policy stressed negotiation, responsibility for the past and practical cooperation across political divisions.

A LESSER-KNOWN DETAIL

His Nobel lecture in 1971 treated peace as a continuing task that had to be organised, rather than a condition maintained by declarations alone.

Words by Willy Brandt

“Wars must be eliminated, not merely limited.”

Nobel Lecture, 11 December 1971

Willy Brandt ↗

“A good German cannot be a nationalist.”

Nobel Lecture, 11 December 1971

Willy Brandt ↗

“Everyone must ask himself what specific contribution he should make.”

Nobel Lecture, 11 December 1971

Willy Brandt ↗