Jean Monnet Quotes

12 Sourced Quotes

Nothing is possible without men; nothing is lasting without institutions.

Jean Monnet
A great statesman is one who can work for long-term goals which eventually suit situations as yet unforeseen.

Jean Monnet
Continue, continue, there is no future for the people of Europe other than in union.

Jean Monnet
Institutions govern relationships between people. They are the real pillars of civilization.

Jean Monnet
France is the nation of the rights of man. … I am sure that none of you commits the insult of thinking that the government, the army, or the administration could wish for and organize torture.

Jean Monnet
Make men work together show them that beyond their differences and geographical boundaries there lies a common interest.

Jean Monnet
We should not create a nation Europe instead of a nation France.

Jean Monnet
Europe has never existed. It is not the addition of national sovereignties in a conclave which creates an entity. One must genuinely create Europe.

Jean Monnet
People only accept change when they are faced with necessity, and only recognize necessity when a crisis is upon them.

Jean Monnet
I did not understand the politics of Versailles, only the economics.
Of the Treaty of Versailles

Jean Monnet
Through the consolidation of basic production and the institution of a new High Authority, whose decisions will bind France, Germany and the other countries that join, this proposal represents the first concrete step towards a European federation, imperative for the preservation of peace.

Jean Monnet
There will be no peace in Europe if the States rebuild themselves on the basis of national sovereignty, with its implications of prestige politics and economic protection…. The countries of Europe are not strong enough individually to be able to guarantee prosperity and social development for their peoples. The States of Europe must therefore form a federation or a European entity that would make them into a common economic unit.

Jean Monnet