I believe the ability to think is blessed. If you can think about a situation, you can deal with it. The big struggle is to keep your head clear enough to think.
Richard PryorRead
You work your butt off and somebody says you can't have your record played because it offends them. Tyrants are made of such stuff.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the struggle against oppression and the importance of creative freedom in the face of censorship.
In this quote, Richard Pryor reflects on the frustrations and injustices faced by artists when their work is censored due to the sensitivities of others. He suggests that true tyranny arises from those who seek to limit freedom of expression, highlighting the importance of standing up for one's rights and the rights of others to share their voice without fear of retribution or backlash.
Themes
CensorshipFreedomExpressionTyrannyArt
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of artistic freedom.
More from Richard Pryor
All quotes βThere was a time in my life when I thought I had everything - millions of dollars, mansions, cars, nice clothes, beautiful women, and every other materialistic thing you can imagine. Now I struggle for peace.
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I think about being married again, having a home and a wife. No one can ever be married too many times, and maybe if I keep trying I'll get it right one day.
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I went to Zimbabwe. I know how white people feel in America now; relaxed! Cause when I heard the police car I knew they weren't coming after me!
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Imagine people calling you to find out if you're dead. I've led a real crazy life at times, and I've had many strange things happen to me, but that was one of the strangest.
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The way I see it, the earth is going to be here after we're dead and gone. Even if it's a polluted planet, and they messed it up. Where do they go from here - to another planet so they can mess that up too?
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