1:24:21
I am leaving soon,
and you will forgive me if I speak bluntly.
1:24:27
The universe grows smaller every day,
1:24:30
and the threat of aggression by any group
anywhere can no longer be tolerated.
1:24:37
There must be security for all,
or no one is secure.
1:24:42
This does not mean giving up any freedom,
except the freedom to act irresponsibly.
1:24:49
Your ancestors knew this
when they made laws to govern themselves,
1:24:53
and hired policemen to enforce them.
1:24:56
We of the other planets
have long accepted this principle.
1:25:00
We have an organization for
the mutual protection of all planets,
1:25:05
and for the complete
elimination of aggression.
1:25:08
The test of any such higher authority
is, of course, the police force that supports it.
1:25:14
For our policemen,
we created a race of robots.
1:25:19
Their function is to patrol the planets
in spaceships like this one,
1:25:24
and preserve the peace.
1:25:26
In matters of aggression
we have given them absolute power over us.
1:25:31
This power cannot be revoked.
1:25:34
At the first sign of violence,
they act automatically against the aggressor.
1:25:39
The penalty for provoking their action
is too terrible to risk.
1:25:45
The result is, we live in peace,
1:25:48
without arms or armies,
1:25:50
secure in the knowledge that
we are free from aggression and war,
1:25:53
free to pursue more profitable enterprises.
1:25:58
We do not pretend
to have achieved perfection,