Haile Selassie

Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted, the indifference of those who should have known better, the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most, that has made it possible for evil to triumph.

Speech to the UN Security Council in Africa Hall, Addis Ababa, 28 January 1972, Security Council official records, S/PV,1627. Multiple sources misattribute the quote to a separate speech Selassie made to the UN on 4 October 1963. , 1972

In the history of the human race, those periods which later appeared as great have been the periods when the men and the women belonging to them had transcended the differences that divided them and had recognized in their membership in the human race a common bond.

Address at Haile Selassie I University (now Addis Ababa University) honoring Indian President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (13 October 1965) , 1965

A house built on granite and strong foundations, not even the onslaught of pouring rain, gushing torrents and strong winds will be able to pull down. Some people have written the story of my life representing as truth what in fact derives from ignorance, error or envy; but they cannot shake the truth from its place, even if they attempt to make others believe it.

Preface , 1937

Imagination, devotion, perseverance, together with divine grace, will assure your success.

Address on the 18th anniversary of his coronation (2 November 1948) , 1948

Spiritual power is the eternal guide, in this life and the life after, for man ranks supreme among all creatures. Led forward by spiritual power, man can reach the summit destined for him by the Great Creator.

On the Nomination of Archbishop Basilios (19 January 1951) , 1951