It's important that we elevate and primarily focus on the rights of American citizens, but it's also important that we don't forget, 95 percent of the world's population lives beyond our own borders.
Edward SnowdenRead
Citizens with a conscience are not going to ignore wrong-doing simply because they'll be destroyed for it: the conscience forbids it.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of moral integrity, even when facing severe consequences.
Edward Snowden highlights the moral imperative of standing up against wrongdoing, suggesting that a person with a conscience cannot remain silent or complicit simply due to the fear of repercussions. The quote underscores the idea that ethical beliefs should drive one's actions, regardless of the potential for personal harm or societal pushback.
In practice
During a speech on civil rights, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of standing up for justice.
It's important that we elevate and primarily focus on the rights of American citizens, but it's also important that we don't forget, 95 percent of the world's population lives beyond our own borders.
I think the most important idea is to remember that there have been times throughout American history where what is right is not the same as what is legal.
Congress hasn't declared war on the countries - the majority of them are our allies - but without asking for public permission, NSA is running network operations against them that affect millions of innocent people. And for what? So we can have secret access to a computer in a country we're not even fighting?
A child born today will grow up with no conception of privacy at all.
Being called a traitor by Dick Cheney is the highest honor you can give an American, and the more panicked talk we hear from people like him... the better off we all are.
I don't see myself as a hero because what I'm doing is self-interested: I don't want to live in a world where there's no privacy and therefore no room for intellectual exploration and creativity.
Most women I know have been harassed in some way. And you never wanted to report it, because you were afraid of losing your job or you felt like, hey, did that just happen? I think it's good that women now... have the courage! Because it's not easy.
Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Beside, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of Nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.
Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards any one.
The fiercest serpent may be overcome by a swarm of ants.
Lukewarm acceptance is more bewildering than outright rejection.
Better to have beasts that let themselves be killed than men who run away.
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