Independence is never given to a people, it has to be earned; and, once earned, must be defended.
Interpretation
True independence requires effort and vigilance to maintain.
This quote emphasizes that independence is not simply granted to a group; it is a hard-fought achievement that requires perseverance and a commitment to protect it. It highlights the idea that once a society gains its autonomy, it must constantly work to safeguard its freedoms against external and internal threats.
In practice
During a speech about national pride and autonomy.
Palestine must be built up without violating the legitimate interests of the Arabs.. Palestine is not Rhodesia... 600,0000 Arabs live there, who before the sense of justice of the world have exactly the same rights to their homes as we have to our National Home.
A law is something which must have a moral basis, so that there is an inner compelling force for every citizen to obey.
Just as so many rivers, so many showers of rain from above, so many medicinal springs do not alter the taste of the sea, so the pressure of adversity does not affect the mind of the brave man. For it maintains its balance, and over all that happens it throws its own complexion, because it is more powerful than external circumstances.
Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul.
I was raised to believe that soldiers were strong and wise and brave and faithful; they didn't lie, cheat, steal or abandon their comrades.
Yet somehow the thing that startled me most, after a week or two had passed, was that I had in fact survived.
The cry of the oppressed has entered not only into my ears, but into my soul, so that while I live, I cannot hold my peace.
The handicap of deafness is not in the ear; it is in the mind.
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