The Summary of my Life Story
“The most unforgettable memories of our youth were worrying over the collapse of the great empire and the beliefs that it was our duty to save the country. Sixty years went by under the excitement and hopelessness of these feelings and witnessing days of victory.
While struggling to fulfill my duties during the collapse of the empire, my survival against countless martyrs and victims of various disasters was an unexpected occurrence for me.” The war of Independence ended in victory when I was 38 years old. During this time, we could vanquish the merciless and powerful enemies because we went against the so called representatives who claimed authority.
Leaving the memories of hopeless days behind, we began working determined to reestablish and advance the country. It was our only goal to establish a new Turkey in every possible area and to honorably hand the earned country down to the next generations.
Since 1920, that is since I was 36, I was among those who took the responsibility of prime importance in the governance of the country. Being directly in the politics until 1950, in other words until the age of 60, I tried my best to maintain the welfare of Turkey and to make it advance.
Filled with hope and pride, we chose 1950 as the year our nation has been longing for its life style for hundred years.
I see that the moments of all difficulties and success that I have been through for as long as I’ve known myself are chasing each other in this new period as well.
I really would love to describe this long political life in one sentence: In my entire life I always pursued a precious aim that had to be acquired for the nation. This always enthused and strengthened me.
My memories of family are filled with happy moments. My unique support has been my wife Mrs. İnönü who helped me through difficult times and led my gloomy days into light. She took the sad incidents of my political life with patience and courage. She never backed away from difficulties. And we always got along well in the family. The key that we found was this: the one who started speaking first and complaining about something was listened and found right by the other one, thus even though the storm might last long, it always ended in peace. I became a friend to my children. And now I try to be a friend of my grandchildren.
I always believed that the Turks have a natural gift that enables them to be very good in family relations. And I truly believed that the monogamy is at the heart of family bliss.
I felt the most precious feelings which could only be attained in the highest stages of prosperity and power after I left the government. The biggest gift of the official duty is having the affection of the nation after leaving the duty.
I am proud to be one of the people who achieved this. It is very rare to be welcomed with affection after getting through the obligations of the private and political life. Including my opponents, I wish from the bottom of my heart this kind of happiness to all of the politicians.
I remember my friends, their assistants and my chiefs with respect. My heart is filled with love and gratitude toward great Atatürk who always guided and helped me in times we worked together.
İsmet İnönü (İsmet İnönü, Hatıralar, Ankara, Bilgi Publication, 1985, p.13-14)
