I am afraid that in Asia allegiance is merely the recognition of superior strength, and that the Afghans will, on the whole, ask themselves, when they are determining to whom their allegiance shall be given, which is the stronger Power-which is the Power that can protect their friends and punish their enemies-and I am afraid that they will conclude that the stronger Power is that which advances and never retreats, and not the Power which retreats and preaches all the way. (Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury)

I am afraid that in Asia allegiance is merely the recognition of superior strength, and that the Afghans will, on the whole, ask themselves, when they are determining to whom their allegiance shall be given, which is the stronger Power-which is the Power that can protect their friends and punish their enemies-and I am afraid that they will conclude that the stronger Power is that which advances and never retreats, and not the Power which retreats and preaches all the way.

Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury

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allegiance ask given power recognition strength superior way friends asia

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