To walk behind others on a road you are traveling together, to give precedence to others without envy - this is painful for an individual and painful for a nation.
History uses a unit of measure for time that is different from that of the lifespan of the individual, whereas man is only too ready to measure the evolution of history by his own yardstick.
The courtesy which most becomes a victor was denied to Germany for a long time.
The great men of a nation reach out to all mankind. They are unifying, not divisive; internationally conciliating and still great nationally.
For the victor peace means the preservation of the position of power which he has secured. For the vanquished it means resigning himself to the position left to him.
Just as the British subject loves England despite her faults, so we must insist that all Germans who were part of the old Germany and helped shape her, recognize the greatness and worthiness of present-day Germany.
