How we cite our quotes: (Part.Sentence)
Quote #1
Throughout America's adventure in free government, our basic purposes have been to keep the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among people and among nations. To strive for less would be unworthy of a free and religious people. Any failure traceable to arrogance, or our lack of comprehension or readiness to sacrifice would inflict upon us grievous hurt both at home and abroad. (III. 1-3)
To a lot of people, this is America's mission statement. It's a feel-good kind of story to tell yourself about yourself, which is probably why it's still such a popular conception of what it is to be American. Who wouldn't be proud to be that person Ike described?
Quote #2
But each proposal must be weighed in the light of a broader consideration: the need to maintain balance in and among national programs; balance between the private and the public economy, balance between cost and hoped for advantage; balance between the clearly necessary and the comfortably desirable; balance between our essential requirements as a nation and the duties imposed by the nation upon the individual; balance between action of the moment and the national welfare of the future. Good judgment seeks balance and progress; lack of it eventually finds imbalance and frustration. (III.13-14)
That's a tough balancing act. The underlying principle seems to be: think carefully about all the consequences of what you do now, because it's not just you and it's not just now.
Quote #3
Down the long lane of the history yet to be written America knows that this world of ours, ever growing smaller, must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect.
Such a confederation must be one of equals. The weakest must come to the conference table with the same confidence as do we, protected as we are by our moral, economic, and military strength. That table, though scarred by many past frustrations, cannot be abandoned for the certain agony of the battlefield. (VI. 1-4)
Shmoop is liking Ike more every second. This was the way he wanted to combat Communism: the principled pursuit of peace through diplomacy, trade, and communication, and the protection of smaller nations unable to protect themselves. If America followed these principles we'd have the moral high-ground, and we'd eventually wear the Soviets down by getting all the love from the world community.