Freedom from fear and injustice and oppression will be ours only in the measure that men who value such freedom are ready to sustain its possession - to defend it against every thrust from within or without.
Interpretation
True freedom requires vigilance and active defense against threats to it.
This quote emphasizes that freedom is not a passive state but an active pursuit that requires individuals to be willing to protect it against any form of threat, whether it arises from external forces or from within society. It suggests that moral courage and a collective commitment to justice and rights are essential for maintaining and preserving freedom.
In practice
During a graduation speech to inspire students to engage in social justice.
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.
To anyone out there who has ever been assaulted: You will never be alone. You are never alone. We have your back. I've got your back.
I wish it to be remembered that I was the last man of my tribe to surrender my rifle.
Let the fear of a danger be a spur to prevent it; he that fears not, gives advantage to the danger.
I should not proceed by land to the East, as is customary, but by a Westerly route, in which direction we have hitherto no certain evidence that any one has gone.
It takes courage to push yourself to places you have never been before... to test your limits... to break through barriers. And the day came when the risk it took to stay tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered.
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