I wouldn't attach too much importance to these student riots. I remember when I was a student at the Sorbonne in Paris, I used to go out and riot occasionally.

In this quote, John Foster Dulles, who served as the U.S. Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, downplays the significance of the student riots of his time by comparing them to his own youthful experiences. He recalls his time as a student at the Sorbonne in Paris, where he participated in riots, implying that such actions are a typical, somewhat fleeting part of youth. Dulles uses this personal anecdote to suggest that student protests should not be taken too seriously, framing them as a temporary and often predictable response to broader social or political issues.

The quote reflects Dulles’s attempt to minimize the weight of student unrest, which often signifies dissatisfaction with political or societal conditions. By highlighting his own participation in rioting during his student years, Dulles suggests that such protests are a common, youthful expression of frustration rather than a sign of deep societal or political change. His statement implies that the passions of young people, while sometimes disruptive, are often more about personal or generational expression than a direct threat to the status quo.

The origin of this quote lies in Dulles’s reflection on the student protests and riots that were prevalent in the 1960s, especially in Western countries. During this period, there were significant social upheavals, with students protesting various issues, such as the Vietnam War and civil rights injustices. Dulles’s comment, made in the context of these events, serves as an attempt to downplay the importance of such protests, which were often seen by older generations as excessive or unproductive.

Ultimately, Dulles’s quote highlights a generational difference in how protests and civil unrest are perceived. By sharing his own experience as a young student involved in protests, he suggests that such actions should not be seen as overly alarming or historically significant. It reflects a more dismissive attitude toward youth-led movements, particularly from older, more establishment figures, who might view them as temporary or misguided rather than a force for lasting change.