If all that Americans want is security, they can go to prison. They'll have enough to eat, a bed and a roof over their heads. But if an American wants to preserve his dignity and his equality as a human being, he must not bow his neck to any dictatorial government.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of personal dignity and equality over mere security.
In this quote, Dwight D. Eisenhower highlights a crucial aspect of human existence: the struggle between the desire for security and the need for dignity and equality. He suggests that while security may be found in a controlled or oppressive environment, true fulfillment comes from standing up for one's rights and refusing to submit to authoritarianism. This underscores the value of individual freedoms and the importance of maintaining one's principles in the face of oppressive governance.
In practice
This quote could be used in a speech about civil rights.
If a man's associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.
The libraries of America are and must ever remain the home of free and inquiring minds. To them, our citizens-of all ages and races, of all creeds and persuasions-must be able to turn with clear confidence that there they can freely seek the whole truth, unvarnished by fashion and uncompromised by expediency.
You don't lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.
When pressure mounts and strain increases everyone begins to show the weaknesses in his makeup. It is up to the Commander to conceal his: above all to conceal doubt, fear, and distrust.
Some years ago I became president of Columbia University and learned within 24 hours to be ready to speak at the drop of a hat, and I learned something more, the trustees were expected to be ready to speak at the passing of the hat.
I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.
I demanded more rights for women because I know what women had to put up with.
It's easier to aim to please and say what others want to hear than to form an opinion and fight for it, even if it means taking a risk or losing your job.
I will go back to my life when women in captivity go back to their lives, when my community has a place, when I see people accountable for their crimes.
No one's going to tell me how to make my own choices. For too many years, everybody told me what to say and what to do and how to be.
I liked flying, when I got into it, loved it. And I found I was very good at it. I'm not modest about the fact that I was a good pilot.
Because we have suffered, and we are not afraid to suffer in order to survive, we are ready to give up everything - even our lives - in our struggle for justice.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.