Lester B. Pearson Quotes

A collection of quotes by Lester B. Pearson.

Lester B. Pearson was a Canadian politician, diplomat, and the 14th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from 1963 to 1968. He was born on April 23, 1897, in Newtonbrook, Ontario, Canada. Pearson studied at the University of Toronto and later at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.

During World War II, Pearson played a pivotal role in the British foreign service and was instrumental in the development of the United Nations. He was part of the Canadian delegation that helped establish the UN in 1945, and he worked extensively to support international peacekeeping efforts.

Pearson was elected to the Canadian Parliament in 1948 and became the leader of the Liberal Party in 1958. As Prime Minister, he implemented important social reforms, including the introduction of universal healthcare, a new national flag (the iconic Maple Leaf), and significant educational initiatives.

Internationally, Pearson is best known for his diplomatic skills and commitment to peacekeeping. He won the 1957 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in defusing the Suez Crisis by proposing the establishment of a peacekeeping force. This led to the creation of the UN Emergency Force, marking a significant milestone in international conflict resolution.

Lester B. Pearson left a lasting impact on Canada and the world through his dedication to promoting peace, social progress, and international cooperation. He passed away on December 27, 1972, in Ottawa, Canada.

It would be especially tragic if the people who most cherish

It would be especially tragic if the people who most cherish ideals of peace, who are most anxious for political cooperation on a wider than national scale, made the mistake of underestimating the pace of economic change in our modern world.

Lester B. Pearson

As a soldier, I survived World War I when most of my comrade

As a soldier, I survived World War I when most of my comrades did not.

Lester B. Pearson

But while we all pray for peace, we do not always, as free c

But while we all pray for peace, we do not always, as free citizens, support the policies that make for peace or reject those which do not. We want our own kind of peace, brought about in our own way.

Lester B. Pearson

The choice, however, is as clear now for nations as it was o

The choice, however, is as clear now for nations as it was once for the individual: peace or extinction.

Lester B. Pearson

I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given to par

I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given to participate in that work as a representative of my country, Canada, whose people have, I think, shown their devotion to peace.

Lester B. Pearson

The grim fact is that we prepare for war like precocious gia

The grim fact is that we prepare for war like precocious giants, and for peace like retarded pygmies.

Lester B. Pearson

The stark and inescapable fact is that today we cannot defen

The stark and inescapable fact is that today we cannot defend our society by war since total war is total destruction, and if war is used as an instrument of policy, eventually we will have total war.

Lester B. Pearson

I cannot think of anything more difficult than to say someth

I cannot think of anything more difficult than to say something which would be worthy of this impressive and, for me, memorable occasion, and of the ideals and purposes which inspired the Nobel Peace Award.

Lester B. Pearson

Of all our dreams today there is none more important - or so

Of all our dreams today there is none more important - or so hard to realise - than that of peace in the world. May we never lose our faith in it or our resolve to do everything that can be done to convert it one day into reality.

Lester B. Pearson

And I have lived since - as you have - in a period of cold w

And I have lived since - as you have - in a period of cold war, during which we have ensured by our achievements in the science and technology of destruction that a third act in this tragedy of war will result in the peace of extinction.

Lester B. Pearson

True there has been more talk of peace since 1945 than, I sh

True there has been more talk of peace since 1945 than, I should think, at any other time in history. At least we hear more and read more about it because man's words, for good or ill, can now so easily reach the millions.

Lester B. Pearson

It has too often been too easy for rulers and governments to

It has too often been too easy for rulers and governments to incite man to war.

Lester B. Pearson

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.

Lester B. Pearson

As for the promotion of peace congresses we have had our mee

As for the promotion of peace congresses we have had our meetings and assemblies, but the promotion through them of the determined and effective will to peace displaying itself in action and policy remains to be achieved.

Lester B. Pearson