Quote by Woodrow Wilson, Address of the P

They imply, first of all, that it must be a peace without victory. It is not pleasant to say this. I beg that I may be permitted to put my own interpretation upon it and that it may be understood that no other interpretation was in my thought. I am seeking only to face realities and to face them without soft concealments. Victory would mean peace forced upon the loser, a victor's terms imposed upon the vanquished. It would be accepted in humiliation, under duress, at an intolerable sacrifice, and would leave a sting, a resentment, a bitter memory upon which terms of peace would rest, not permanently, but only as upon quicksand. Only a peace between equals can last, only a peace the very principle of which is equality and a common participation in a common benefit. The right state of mind, the right feeling between nations, is as necessary for a lasting peace as is the just settlement of vexed questions of territory or of racial and national allegiance.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance of achieving a peaceful resolution without celebrating victory at the expense of the vanquished. The speaker acknowledges that imposing terms of peace on the losing side only breeds resentment and instability. Instead, they advocate for a peace built on equality and mutual benefit. The quote highlights the significance of mutual understanding and cooperation between nations as crucial elements for maintaining a lasting peace, alongside resolving territorial and national disputes fairly. By rejecting the idea of a peace imposed on unequal terms, the quote calls for a more inclusive and balanced approach to achieving harmony among nations.