Democracy Quotes - Page 7

Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us."

[The One Un-American Act, Speech to the Author's Guild Council in New York, on receiving the 1951 Lauterbach Award (December 3, 1952)]

Being democratic is not enough, a majority cannot turn what is wrong into right. In order to be considered truly free, countries must also have a deep love of liberty and an abiding respect for the rule of law.

To be a member of such a crowd ... is not much to be far removed from solitude; the freedom of everyone is assured by the freedom to which everyone else lays claim.

Der Endzweck des Staates ist [...] im Grund die Freiheit.

From this day onward whatever circumstances may jam my way I'll break through it unscathed for in the end who will but suffer but me, so much so that I will reach for the unreachable, I'll break that which is unbreakable and attain that is impossible!

The ruling power is always faced with the question, ‘In such and such circumstances, what would you do?’, whereas the opposition is not obliged to take responsibility or make any real decisions.

Der Staat, der nur wegen und aus der Freiheit seiner Menschen besteht, darf sich nicht gegen seine Schöpfer wenden.

In einem freien Staat müssen Zunge und Meinung frei sein.

Politics: the art of using euphemisms, lies, emotionalism and fear-mongering to dupe average people into accepting-or even demanding-their own enslavement.

Vox populi vox Dei

No one has the right to place one human being in a position of political power over another.

The measure of man's ability to extend the sphere of social possibility can only start with the values of democracy.

When there is liberty, you expect a higher degree of freedom and not human rights abuse.

There is now the capacity to make tyranny total in America. Only law ensures that we never fall into that abyss - the abyss from which there is no return.

When did a free country start to mean free enterprise? Who sold Democracy out for a golden calf we got to idolize?

Are we Pakistanis, children of a lesser God? Is there one law for the west and one for us? Is our democracy supposed to be only democracy if you give us a no objection certificate?

[D]emocracy can itself be as tyrannical as a dictatorship, since it is the extent, not the source, of government power that impinges on freedom."
-William F Buckley

The most important things to be acquired for freedom and democracy, are identity and dignity.

He who in given cases consents to obey his fellows with servility, and who submits his will, and even his thoughts, to their control, how can he pretend that he wishes to be free?

There was something melancholic about that symbol of their nation's promise of freedom, a bell with a chipped mouth and cleft body.