Don't join the book burners. Do not think you are going to conceal thoughts by concealing evidence that they ever existed.
Interpretation
Censorship does not erase ideas; it merely hides them from view.
This quote by Dwight D. Eisenhower emphasizes the futility of censorship and the importance of free thought. By warning against book burning, he highlights that attempting to suppress ideas only serves to acknowledge their existence and inherent power, making it crucial to confront, rather than ignore, differing viewpoints and thoughts.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of free expression in schools.
If a man's associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.
The libraries of America are and must ever remain the home of free and inquiring minds. To them, our citizens-of all ages and races, of all creeds and persuasions-must be able to turn with clear confidence that there they can freely seek the whole truth, unvarnished by fashion and uncompromised by expediency.
You don't lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.
When pressure mounts and strain increases everyone begins to show the weaknesses in his makeup. It is up to the Commander to conceal his: above all to conceal doubt, fear, and distrust.
Some years ago I became president of Columbia University and learned within 24 hours to be ready to speak at the drop of a hat, and I learned something more, the trustees were expected to be ready to speak at the passing of the hat.
I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.
People who know little are usually great talkers, while men who know much say little.
Lust indulged became habit, and habit unresisted became necessity.
Just because something didn't work out your way, or somebody disappointed you, that does not change who you are.
The avarice person is ever in want; let your desired aim have a fixed limit.
Delight at having understood a very abstract and obscure system leads most people to believe in the truth of what it demonstrates.
Ease makes less of an impression on us than struggle.
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