The Ultimate Task of Statesmanship

From Kissinger's On China:


Universal rule, to last, needs to translate force into obligation. Otherwise, the energies of the rulers will be exhausted in maintaining their dominance at the expense of their ability to shape the future, which is the ultimate task of statesmanship.

Kissinger, Henry (2011-05-17). On China (p. 13). Penguin Group. Kindle Edition.