If we're going to fight a disease, let's fight one of the most terrible diseases of all, indifference.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of addressing indifference as a significant issue in society that can lead to greater harm than many diseases.
Robin Williams highlights that indifference is a pervasive and destructive force that can lead to neglect and suffering in society. He calls for action against this moral apathy, suggesting that combating indifference should be a priority, much like fighting physical diseases, as it inflicts deep wounds on individuals and communities alike.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech about social justice to rally people against apathy and encourage activism.
It's that idea that you can have one drink - and no you can't. Within a week I was drinking heavily. It was so quick that even I was like, 'Wow.' Because you have that initial warm feeling going, 'Oh, I remember this'. And your body does, too. And your body goes, 'Yeah, so do I'. Then the demon voice comes, 'Yeah, so do I. You know what would be great? You know we bought a little bottle before? A full bottle would be wonderful'.
I always thought the idea of education was to learn to think for yourself.
Sometimes over things that I did, movies that didn't turn out very well - you go, 'Why did you do that?' But in the end, I can't regret them because I met amazing people. There was always something that was worth it.
I've never been asked to appear on 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!,' so I guess I mustn't be on the professional skids just yet.
The Statue of Liberty is no longer saying, 'Give me your poor, your tired, your huddled masses.' She's got a baseball bat and yelling, 'You want a piece of me?'
I write on big yellow legal pads - ideas in outline form when I'm doing stand-up and stuff. It's vivid that way. I can't type it into an iPad - I think that would put a filter into the process.
There is a great need for the introduction of new values in our society, where bigger is not necessarily better, where slower can be faster, and where less can be more.
We are here to change the world with small acts of thoughtfulness done daily rather than with one great breakthrough.
Human beings do metamorphose. They change their identity constantly. However, each new identity thrives on the delusion that it was always in possession of the body it has just conquered.
Everything has seasons, and we have to be able to recognize when something's time has passed and be able to move into the next season. Everything that is alive requires pruning as well, which is a great metaphor for endings.
Change might not be fast and it isn't always easy. But with time and effort, almost any habit can be reshaped.
After living with their dysfunctional behavior for so many years, people become invested in defending their dysfunctions rather than changing them.
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