"Because of Our Past, We Germans Must Refrain From Giving Lessons" (to the Russians, the Chinese, etc)

Etant donné notre passé, nous, Allemands, devons nous garder de donner des leçons.

In his interview with Daniel Vernet, Gerhard Schröder explains modestly — and with a touch of wisdom, even the heroic — that his indulgence for Vladimir Putin and Russia is due to Germany's past, which must keep "us Germans from giving lessons" to others.

Except, of course, when those others' names are George W. Bush or Uncle Sam and when, by the strangest of coincidences, they do not have a relation with their country's businesses and industries that could cause them to order a cut-off in dollars or oil. In those (exceptional) cases, the face of courage suddenly rears its head, rock-solid principles make their appearance, fingers can be wagged, and lessons can be given.