Angela Merkel

"The role of science is to inform, not to decide for us."

"I have found that the most important conversations happen in quiet rooms, not in public spectacles."

"A leader who cannot admit mistakes is incapable of learning."

"The greatest danger to democracy is the erosion of shared facts."

"I believe in the power of dialogue to bridge even the deepest divides."

"Time is the ultimate judge of political decisions."

"A society that values only profit is a society that has lost its way."

"The path to peace is not appeasement, but respect for others' legitimate interests."

"I have always believed that small acts of kindness can change the course of history."

"A nation's true wealth is measured in the well-being of its citizens, not its GDP."

"The capacity to endure hardship with dignity is the hallmark of a great people."

"I do not fear the future; I am concerned about our preparation for it."

"Leadership is the art of getting people to do what needs to be done, because they want to."

"A democracy without criticism is not a democracy at all."

"The real test of our values comes not in good times, but in times of crisis."

"I believe that every person has the capacity for greatness if given the opportunity."

"The future is not predetermined; it is created by the choices we make today."

"A just society protects the rights of the minority even when the majority disagrees."

"I have learned that the most lasting changes are those that people choose for themselves."

"The strength to forgive is greater than the strength to punish."

"A leader must be able to see beyond the next election cycle."

"I believe that innovation comes from diversity of thought and perspective."

"The real power of education is that it frees people from ignorance and fear."

"A nation that forgets where it came from cannot know where it is going."

"I have found that the most important negotiations happen between people who respect each other."

"The future requires that we make peace not just with our enemies, but with our own limitations."

"A democracy that cannot defend its core values is a democracy in decline."

"I believe that progress is not measured in days or weeks, but in years and decades."

"The most important thing a leader can do is to tell the truth, even when it is unpopular."

"A society that values money more than meaning is a society in spiritual crisis."