There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
The intellectual tradition is one of servility to power, and if I didn't betray it I'd be ashamed of myself.
Interpretation
The quote critiques how intellectuals often submit to authority instead of challenging it.
Noam Chomsky reflects on the role of intellectuals in society, suggesting that true intellectual integrity requires questioning and opposing power rather than conforming to it. He expresses disdain for those who do not challenge power structures, indicating that complicity in such servility is a betrayal of one's intellectual duties.
In practice
In a speech about social responsibility, I might use this quote to emphasize the need for intellectuals to stand against oppressive systems.
There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
The 'free-floating intellectual' may occupy himself with problems because of their inherent interest and importance, perhaps to little effect.
If you're teaching today what you were teaching five years ago, either the field is dead or you are.
There are very few people who are going to look into the mirror and say, 'That person I see is a savage monster;' instead, they make up some construction that justifies what they do.
The Republican Party has become overwhelmingly so extreme that it's hardly a traditional political party anymore.
There is still much debate about whether torture has been effective in eliciting information - the assumption being, apparently, that if it is effective, then it may be justified.
Sacrifice is truly the crowning test of the gospel. Men are tried and tested in this mortal probation to see if they will put first in their lives the kingdom of God.
Feminism is dated? Yes, for privileged women like my daughter and all of us here today, but not for most of our sisters in the rest of the world who are still forced into premature marriage, prostitution, forced labor - they have children that they don't want or they cannot feed.
The American experience influenced my understanding of individuality, basic human rights, freedom of expression and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
It is not the oath that makes us believe the man, but the man the oath.
The Declaration of Independence . . . [is the] declaratory charter of our rights, and the rights of man.
In a world where everyone is behaving honestly, any dishonesty constitutes a big infraction. But, in a world where many people are behaving dishonestly, and the news is filled with stories of their infractions, even big infractions can feel small to the perpetrator.
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