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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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the Roman empire had been made as the result of gifted individuals here and there, who, with great personal force of character, not necessarily humanitarians, not necessarily caring a hang about the human race, but just because they had force of character, determination and selfish interest in a particular direction, had moved strongly in some direction and dragged others with him.

He didn't say this at the table, but later on in the afternoon, walking with me, he said, “Of course, just think what might have happened to this world if Napoleon had not been betrayed and defeated. There was a great genius, a great organizing talent, as well as a great military talent. We would have had peace like the pax Romana. I don't care whether we have peace or not. I'm not one of these passionate pacifists. The human race will destroy itself one way or another, but such progress as is made is made because one or two men have strength of character and intelligence enough to make people move the way they at the moment think is the best way to move.”

I said, “Well, you mean they have great inspiration and they sacrifice their lives for the human race?”

“Nonsense,” he said, “no man ever sacrifices himself for the human race, but every now and then there is a





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