To thunderous applause, Mr. Newt Gingrich said the following during his speech at the recent Republican fundraiser dinner in Washington:
Let me be clear. I am not a citizen of the world. I think the entire concept is intellectual nonsense and stunningly dangerous.
Many political observers claim that Mr. Gingrich’s remarks were a clear slap at President Obama, including at Obama’s remarks during his July 2008 speech in Berlin, Germany:
I speak today as both a citizen of the United States and of the world. A citizen—a proud citizen of the United States, and a fellow citizen of the world.
But I won’t engage in interpreting or parsing the words.
Because, if there was ever a case when just the words of others—without the need for any commentary or second-guessing—“say it all,” this is certainly one of those cases.
Some of these other words and some of these “others” are:
I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.
–Socrates, from Plutarch, Of Banishment
Greek philosopher in Athens (469 BC – 399 BC)
I am a citizen of the world.
— Diogenes Laërtius
Biographer of ancient Greek philosophers (3rd century AD)
And more recently,
“Mr. Secretary-General, Mr. President, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen:
I speak today as both a citizen of the United States and of the world. I come with the heartfelt wishes of my people “
Ronald Reagan, President of the United States, in remarks in New York City before the United Nations General Assembly Special Session devoted to disarmament.
June 17, 1982
