[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

Jean Francois Revel wrote: "Clearly, a civilization that feels guilty for everything it is and does will lack the energy and conviction to defend itself."


Wow! This is a very profound statement that bears repeating.

[Stultis]

Not sure which book that was from. Could be The Totalitarian Temptation. A restatement of his thesis was made in How Democracies Perish, published the same year (or was this just the English translation) as Kirkpatrick's speech.

Revel wrote a very timely book last year, which apparently has yet to be translated:

L'Obsession Anti-Americaine

(Amazon Reader Review)
At last, In France, a voice raises against the stream of the anti-americanism " well-thinking ". French believe they invented the Human Rights but, despite Voltaire, Montesquieu, Tocqueville, Bastiat, and many others, they ignored the essence of the liberalism. From communists to nationalists, including socialists and gaullists, they misunderstand the spirit of America.
This book, with a gentle sense of humour, and many opportune references, is a source of jubilation. One by one, all the bloody stupidities and insanities accumulated since so many years, fall in dust. And little by little, JF Revel shapes a righter image of this great nation to which we so much owe. A true event in the briny marsh of the generally accepted ideas !
It should be hoped that this comforting speech will contribute to let american people know that some french hold them in great esteem, and cherish with them, Democracy and Freedom!