UNITED NATIONS — Presidents, premiers, monarchs and cabinet ministers have plenty to say at their annual gathering at the U.N. General Assembly. Still, sometimes they borrow a few words, quoting from a range of sources.
Speakers this week touched on homeland sayings, ancient texts, figures of moral authority and more — even a bit of Talking Heads (not TV pundits — the 1980s new wave band.)
Here’s a sampling of references:
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“Laws are made to prevent the strong from oppressing the weak.” — the ancient Babylonian king Hammurabi, quoted by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi
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“The coral reef where different species of fish congregate to feed and seek shelter.” — a reference from a Marshallese proverb, as explained by Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine
Marshall Islands’ President Hilda Heine speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. Credit: AP/Seth Wenig
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“We’re on a road to nowhere.” — David Byrne of the band Talking Heads, quoted by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
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“We are the land, its custodians and its inhabitants. To us it belongs, for we are its people and its home. Today belongs to the people, and the glorious yesterday belongs to them, as well. To them belong the future, history and time itself.” — a Yemeni poet, as quoted by Abdullah Abdulkader al Alimi-Bawzer, vice president of Yemen’s internationally recognized governing council, and as translated by U.N. interpreters
Prime Minister for Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis addresses the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. Credit: AP/Frank Franklin II
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“The breach of one rule inevitably leads to the breach of other rules.” — Mahatma Gandhi, quoted by Finnish President Alexander Stubb
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“Members of the United Nations General Assembly, your very name implies commitment, through your peace initiatives and humanitarian policies, to igniting the fires of conscience, empathy, unity and equity.” — Barbados’ poet laureate, Esther Phillips, quoted by Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley
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“When we gather together in the moonlit village ground, it is not because of the moon. Every man can see it in his own compound. We come together because it is good for kinsmen to do so.” — author Chinua Achebe, quoted by President Azali Assoumani of The Comoros
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“When there is anguish in Port-au-Prince, it’s still Africa crying. We’re outing fires in faraway places when our neighbors are just burning…. I refuse to believe that we good people will forever turn our hearts and our eyes away. Haiti, I’m sorry.” — calypso singer David Rudder, quoted by President Godwin Friday of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
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“Knowledge is like the ocean’s waves: It comes in many forms and sizes, yet no wave overpowers another, and all ultimately reach the same shore.” — one of a couple of Palauan sayings translated and quoted by Palau President Surangel Whipps
