Since I came an adult - for more than 45 years - Marcus Aurelius has been my great idol. Helmut Schmidt adultaureliusgreat Change image and share on social
I remember the youth movement in 1968. It started on American university campuses as a protest against the Vietnam war, then came to Paris, Frankfurt and Berlin. Within a year, you had an uprising of youth against their elders. Helmut Schmidt americanberlincampus share on social
The critical thing about Western democracy is the fact that you usually have a transition of power without bloodshed. That is an enormous advantage. But still, democracy as we know it was only invented recently in the West, historical speaking. It did not really work in ancient Rome. It functioned for less than 200 years in ancient Athens. Helmut Schmidt advantageancientathens share on social
I will not be remembered in history. I have not been shot. I have not launched any great tragedy or victory. I have not borne any great defeat. It was a very normal - it still is a very normal - human life of a political leader. Helmut Schmidt beardefeatgreat share on social
The German public knows me quite well. I have been in their kitchens and living rooms for years. Helmut Schmidt germankitchenlive Change image and share on social
Americans tend to feel satisfied within the wide boundaries of that huge, big country. Helmut Schmidt americanbigboundary Change image and share on social
My education has been pro-England. I have been an England-minded citizen of Hamburg, and I am still in a way English-minded, but I have been disappointed by the Brits over the years. Helmut Schmidt britcitizendisappoint Change image and share on social
Farmers are always conservative. They stick to what they have learned from their fathers and from their grandfathers. This is the same all over the globe. Helmut Schmidt conservativefarmerfather Change image and share on social
I was in government for 13 years and in that time only once met the head of the German security services, and that was because he was an old friend. Otherwise, I carefully avoided having anything to do with these people. They are unavoidable but not really necessary. Helmut Schmidt avoidcarefullyfriend share on social
The British claim to have a special relationship with the U.S., but if you mention this in Washington, no one knows what you are talking about. Helmut Schmidt britishclaimmention Change image and share on social