QuoteProject
Everyone is in favor of free speech. Hardly a day passes without its being extolled, but some people's idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone else says anything back, that is an outrage.
Winston Churchill
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the hypocritical nature of free speech, where people often support it only when it aligns with their views.

Winston Churchill's quote highlights the paradox of free speech; while many advocate for it, they often become defensive or outraged when confronted with opposing viewpoints. This reflects a selective tolerance of opinions and reveals the complexity of truly embracing free speech, which should encompass all perspectives, even those that challenge our own beliefs.

Themes

Free SpeechHypocrisyOpinionsExpressionDebate

In practice

Example use cases

During a debate about free speech rights on campus.

More from Winston Churchill

It is a socialist idea that making profits is a vice; I consider the real vice is making losses.
Winston ChurchillRead
The United States is like a gigantic boiler. Once the fire is lit under it, there's no limit to the power it can generate.
Winston ChurchillRead
Politics is almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous. In war you can only be killed once, but in politics many times.
Winston ChurchillRead
I will not pretend that if I had to choose between communism and Nazism I would choose communism.
Winston ChurchillRead
Mountaintops inspire leaders but valleys mature them.
Winston ChurchillRead
True genius resides in the capacity for evaluation of uncertain, hazardous, and conflicting information.
Winston ChurchillRead

Similar quotes

To listen to some devout people, one would imagine that God never laughs.
Sri AurobindoRead
Facts mean little compared to attitudes. To contradict rumor or sentiment is as futile as arguing against a believer's faith in the Immaculate Conception. You have simply become a victim of faith, Comrade Assistant.
Milan KunderaRead
Where the soul is full of peace and joy, outward surrounding and circumstances are of comparatively little account.
Hannah Whitall SmithRead
While overeating would be seen by some as an indulgence of self, it is in fact a profound rejection of self. It is a moment of self-betrayal and self-punishment, and anything but a commitment to one's own well-being.
Marianne WilliamsonRead
We vary greatly in the natural advantages that we've been given. The world's not fair
Malcolm GladwellRead
I don't think anyone is qualified to answer questions of eternal fate definitively, much less pinpoint it to a given day.
Jon MeachamRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Winston Churchill | QuoteProject