In an average day, you may well be confronted with some species of bullying or bigotry, or some ill-phrased appeal to the general will, or some petty abuse of authority. If you have a political loyalty, you may be offered a shady reason for agreeing to a lie or a half-truth that serves some short-term purpose. Everybody devises tactics for getting through such moments; try behaving "as if" they need not be tolerated and are not inevitable.
Interpretation
Stand up against bullying and dishonesty by behaving as if they are not acceptable.
In this quote, Christopher Hitchens emphasizes the importance of confronting instances of bullying, bigotry, and dishonesty that we encounter in our daily lives. He encourages individuals to adopt a mindset of resistance, acting as if such negative behaviors and deceptions do not have to be tolerated, thereby fostering a culture of integrity and courage in the face of adversity.
In practice
During a speech on ethical leadership, one might use this quote to inspire action against corruption.
In a public dialogue with Salman in London he [Edward Said] had once described the Palestinian plight as one where his people, expelled and dispossessed by Jewish victors, were in the unique historical position of being 'the victims of the victims': there was something quasi-Christian, I thought, in the apparent humility of that statement.
What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
Never ask while you are doing it if what you are doing is fun. Don't introduce even your most reliably witty acquaintance as someone who will set the table on a roar.
[E]xceptional claims demand exceptional evidence.
The worst days are when you feel foggy in the head - chemo-brain they call it. It's awful because you feel boring. As well as bored. And stupid. And resigned.
Let me tell you something: for hundreds of thousands of years, this kind of discussion would have been impossible to have, or those like us would have been having it at the risk of our lives. Religion now comes to us in this smiley-face, ingratiating way — because it’s had to give so much more ground and because we know so much more. But you’ve got no right to forget the way it behaved when it was strong, and when it really did believe that it had God on its side.
Don't be afraid - if you don't exercise your rights, you will lose them.
Tell him yes. Even if you are dying of fear, even if you are sorry later, because whatever you do, you will be sorry all the rest of your life if you say no.
Too long have the workers of the world waited for some Moses to lead them out of bondage... I would not lead you out if I could; for if you could be led out, you could be led back again. I would have you make up your minds there is nothing that you cannot do for yourselves.
Every attempt to make war easy and safe will result in humiliation and disaster.
The principal act of courage is to endure and withstand dangers doggedly rather than to attack them.
Cowards only sin, brave men never, no, not even in mind.
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