What's important is that, when you're tested, you stand firm against the violent activities of those who would try to plunge our people back into the misery of the past.
Martin McguinnessRead
British rule depends upon repression and collaboration and the Irish people should recognise that those who collaborate with Britain in exchange for a slice of the cake will implement British policy and remain silent when Irish people are murdered and oppressed. It is they who are responsible for prolonging the war in Ireland. Without the quislings, without the collaborators, we would already have reached freedom.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote criticizes those who cooperate with oppressive forces, implying that their actions hinder true freedom.
Martin McGuinness highlights the detrimental impact of collaboration with oppressive regimes, specifically British rule in Ireland. He argues that those who assist the oppressors, seeking personal gain, are complicit in the ongoing suffering and conflict faced by their fellow countrymen. By labeling these collaborators as 'quislings,' he underscores the belief that their presence extends a state of oppression, prolonging the fight for genuine freedom and justice in Ireland.
Themes
CollaborationOppressionFreedomWarIrelandResponsibility
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech addressing the principles of justice and freedom, one might quote this to emphasize the dangers of collaboration with oppressive powers.
More from Martin Mcguinness
All quotes →I believed that, in a situation where the community that I came from were being treated like second- and third-class citizens, that I had a responsibility to fight back against it. And I don't apologise to anybody for having done that. I think it was the right thing to do.
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The reality is that the people that we represent are no longer going to be second-class citizens in their own country.
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