Éamon de Valera quotes

Éamon de Valera was an Irish statesman and political leader, regarded as one of the most influential figures in twentieth-century Ireland. A key figure in the struggle for Irish independence, he played a central role in shaping the nation's destiny. He served as both Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and President of Ireland during his long political career. Here are 30 of his quotes:

Of course I wrote most of the Constitution myself. I remember hesitating for a long time over the US presidential system. But it wouldn't have done - we were too trained in English democracy to sit down under a dictatorship which is what the American system really is.

Éamon de Valera

It is my considered opinion that in the fullness of time history will record the greatness of Michael Collins and it will be recorded at my expense.

Éamon de Valera

For Irishmen, there is no football game to match rugby and if all our young men played rugby not only would we beat England and Wales but France and the whole lot of them put together.

Éamon de Valera

Partition is after all only an old fortress of crumbled masonry - held together with the plaster of fiction.

Éamon de Valera

We cannot afford idleness, waste or inefficiency.

Éamon de Valera

The part which American friendship played in helping us to win the freedom we enjoy in this part of Ireland has been gratefully recognized and acknowledged by our people.

Éamon de Valera

Here, in Cork district, you have in combination all the dangers which war can inflict.

Éamon de Valera

No matter what the future may hold for the Irish nation, the seven years - 1916 to 1923 - must ever remain a period of absorbing interest. Not for over two hundred years has there been such a period of intense and sustained effort to regain the national sovereignty and independence. Over the greater part of the period it was the effort of, one might say, the entire nation. An overwhelming majority of the people of this island combined voluntarily during those years in pursuit of a common purpose.

Éamon de Valera

Ministers not responsible to parliament - that would never do. Besides, I wanted to prepare a nice quiet job without too much work for my old age. Still, I admit, I was tempted. Look at the way de Gaulle rules France ... absolute rule ... very efficient.

Éamon de Valera

I am against this Treaty not because I am a man of war but because I am a man of peace. I am against this Treaty because it will not end the centuries of conflict between the two nations of Great Britain and Ireland.

Éamon de Valera

A Dhomhnall, I have to tell you, you are abolished.

Éamon de Valera

Nature never intended me to be a partisan leader ... Every instinct of mine would indicate that I was meant to be a dyed-in-the-wool Tory, or even a bishop, rather than the leader of a revolution.

Éamon de Valera

It is indeed hard for the strong to be just to the weak, but acting justly always has its rewards.

Éamon de Valera

When we have done our best, we can, as a united people, take whatever may befall with calm courage and confidence that this old nation will survive and if death should come to many of us, death is not the end.

Éamon de Valera

If there is to be any hope of prosperity for this country it is by reversing that policy which made us simply the kitchen garden for supplying the British with cheap food.

Éamon de Valera

If war comes upon us, it will come as a thief in the night.

Éamon de Valera

Unemployment is due to the large import of goods from Britain and other countries. The Government haven't used the powers which they have for the benefit of the country.

Éamon de Valera

I shall strive not to be guilty of adding any fuel to the flames of hatred and passion which, if continued to be fed, promise to burn up whatever is left by the war of decent human feeling in Europe.

Éamon de Valera

We are fully aware that, in a world at war, each set of belligerents is over ready to regard those who are not with them as against them; but the course we have followed is a just course.

Éamon de Valera

By keeping the annuities, we could build up a national industry every years as big as the Shannon Scheme.

Éamon de Valera

We hope that the plain people - the labourers and small farmers - will take this opportunity of coming together and working out the National programme.

Éamon de Valera

The economic and social problems would tend to become, like the military situation, more and more difficult as time went on and we became more and more isolated.

Éamon de Valera