The test of democracy is freedom of criticism.
David Ben-GurionRead
Anyone who believes you can't change history has never tried to write his memoirs.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the idea that personal narratives can influence one's perception of history and encourage individuals to take charge of their own stories.
David Ben-Gurion's quote suggests that the act of writing one's memoirs is a testament to the power of individual agency in shaping history. By believing in the capacity to document and reflect upon personal experiences, one can challenge the notion that history is unchangeable. This perspective empowers individuals to acknowledge their role in both their personal histories and the broader narrative of humanity.
Themes
HistoryChangeMemoirsNarrativeAgency
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on personal growth, one might reference this quote to highlight the importance of self-reflection.
More from David Ben-Gurion
All quotes βWe offer peace and neighborliness to all the neighboring states and their peoples, and invite them to cooperate with the independent Hebrew nation for the common good of all.
David Ben-GurionRead
Without moral and intellectual independence, there is no anchor for national independence.
David Ben-GurionRead
Those who today murdered our people in an ambush not only plotted to murder some Jews but intended to provoke us... The Arabs stand to gain from such a development. They want the country to be in a state of perpetual pogrom.... Any further bloodshed [by the Jews] will only bring political advantage to the Arabs and harm us... Our strength is in the defense... and this strength will give us political victory if England and the world will know that we are defending ourselves rather than attacking.
David Ben-GurionRead
After eighty, there are no enemies, only survivors.
David Ben-GurionRead
We do not want to create a situation like that which exists in South Africa, where the whites are the owners and rulers, and the blacks are the workers. If we do not do all kinds of work, easy and hard, skilled and unskilled, if we become merely landlords, then this will not be our homeland
David Ben-GurionRead
Similar quotes
There is no losing in Jiu-Jitsu. You either win or you learn.
Carlos Gracie, Jr.Read
Who has fully realized that history is not contained in thick books but lives in our very blood?
Carl JungRead
After the horrific massacre Wednesday at the French weekly satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, perhaps the West will finally put away its legion of useless tropes trying to deny the relationship between violence and radical Islam.
Ayaan Hirsi AliRead
Because what's the use of learning that I am one of a long row only - finding out that there is set down in some old book somebody just like me, and to know that I shall only act her part; making me sad, that's all. The best is not to remember your nature and your past doings have been just like thousands' and thousands', and that your coming life and doings'll be like thousands' and thousands'.
Thomas HardyRead
A rogue does not laugh in the same way that an honest man does; a hypocrite does not shed the tears of a man of good faith. All falsehood is a mask; and however well made the mask may be, with a little attention we may always succeed in distinguishing it from the true face.
Alexandre DumasRead
The devil's most devilish when respectable.
Elizabeth Barrett BrowningRead