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This book was prepared in order to make this wisdom more accessible. If it is not only
read but also studied, contemplated and, ultimately, heeded, both the reader, society at
large and future generations will benefit.
H.I.H. Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie
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The way to peace among men and nations rests in the
evenhanded application and enforcement of the principles of
the United Nations and the Organization for African Unity...
Above all, from the human mind must be erased all thoughts of
war as a solution. Then and then only will war cease.
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Humanity by nature is gifted to think freely, but in order that
his free thought should lead him to the goal of liberty and
independence, his way of thinking must be shaped by the
process of education.
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Belief in the Creator is the surest foundation of any civilization.
Man is mortal, each one of Us here will, one day, face his
Maker and answer for his actions.
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Whenever conflict arises between material and spiritual
values, the conscience plays an important role, and anyone
who suffers from a guilty conscience is never free from this
problem until he makes peace with his conscience.
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The obligation to improve oneself does not cease simply
because one has a regular job.
There is no person in this world who is free from life's
responsibility.
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The opportunity for education ... is not given ... for a fashion or
a mode. It is given for a purpose, for a task, for a high
responsibility ... for the benefit of Our country and the coming
generation.
... Education intensifies natural gifts and ability, but mere
education, unless founded on a historical and cultural
framework, will bear no fruits.
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Money is an instrument, but there is no duty that can be fully
accomplished with its mere persuasive power.
It is better to till the land rather than bicker on trivial matters.
It is better to exploit effectively a small tract of land rather
than to proclaim being the owner of vast idle land.
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No person is able to understand and solve one's own problem
better than one's self.
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The ultimate resource of a nation is its people. Unless this
resource is employed for the benefit of the nation, unless the
latent good which it represents is exploited to the maximum
extent for the common good, the nation will languish, poor in
spirit, lacking in achievement.
... The means of destroying poverty and ignorance are
education and work.
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Leadership does not mean domination. The world is always
well supplied with people who wish to rule and dominate
others; the true leader is of a different sort: he seeks effective
activity which has a truly beneficent purpose. He inspires
others to follow in his wake, and holding aloft the torch of
wisdom, leads the way for society to realize its genuinely great
aspirations.
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Justice is the fundamental axiom for the survival of freedom
and government.
... Religion is personal; the state is for all.
The natural origin of every man being man himself and thus
equal through creation, the only difference lies in the
opportunities made available.
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Our greatest asset is Our unity, and We must exploit it to the
fullest.
... The joining together in a unified effort to overcome the
perils of nature and the dangers which beset man on all sides
is the very basis of society and the way in which humanity,
since the dawn of history, has assured its survival.
... Africa must speak with one voice ringing out in powerful,
harmonious tones.
... As Ethiopia is one, all Ethiopians are also one, and education
is the only way to maintain this condition.
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Our unity being Our formidable weapon of defence, it should
be kept more strengthened than Our other forces of defence.
... In the dark hours when We and Our people were called
upon to fight, We did not fail in Our fierce resolve ... We have
all earned the right to be proud of that heritage of struggle.
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Africa has been reborn as a free continent and Africans have
been reborn as free men. The blood that was shed and the
sufferings that were endured are today Africa's advocates for
freedom and unity.
... A foreign hand is concerned about itself; it will not work for
Us.
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Global peace and security can only be permanently secured if
all people of the world pool their resources towards the
complete eradication of man's common enemies -- ignorance,
hunger and disease.
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The United Nations can only be effective, provided its
members are willing to make it strong by giving their
wholehearted support in each and every case where justice,
decency and fair-mindedness so demand.
The Charter of the United Nations expresses the noblest
aspirations of man: abjuration of force in the settlement of
disputes between states; the assurance of human rights and
fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race,
sex, language or religion; the safeguarding of international
peace and security. But these, too, as were the phrases of the
Covenant, are only words; their value depends wholly on
Our will to observe and honour them and give them content
and meaning.
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We must put to the best use the rich heritage of Our past for, in
that way, and in that way alone, can We live to the highest
standard set by Our forefathers.
Africa is today at mid-course, in transition from the Africa of
yesterday to the Africa of tomorrow. Even as We stand here,
We move from the past into the future. The task on which We
have embarked, the making of Africa, will not wait. We must
act, to shape and mould the future and leave Our imprint on
events as they slip past into history.
Man may, at the outset, control the direction which events
take, but once his choice is made, events soon escape his
control and history proceeds by its own force and momentum.
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