UN General Assembly
1951

40. Is it not clear that in following these bold and rugged paths, the peoples of Europe are demanding tremendous exertions of themselves? Such undertakings require courage, great courage; in some countries they call for the sacrifice of legitimate individual interests to a lofty ideal of the common interest. No doubt in the long run such sacrifices will serve the greater interest of each and every one. Nations do not embark on such a course unless they can no longer achieve by other means, that is, in national isolation, the primary aims of every human society. 41. It is doubtless wise to go no further along the road to unification than is necessary to attain the ends in view. Yet, even with these reservations, even within these limits, public opinion in the European countries must show rare political maturity and weigh the needs of the moment with exceptional insight, if it is to be capable of the act of faith, the act of courage, which these new policies demand.