If my lips teach the public that men are made mad by bad treatment, and if the police are taught that they may exasperate to madness men they persecute and ill treat, my life will not be entirely thrown away.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of advocating against mistreatment and its potential consequences on mental health.
Ned Kelly reflects on his purpose in life as a voice for the marginalized and oppressed. He suggests that his efforts to educate the public about the detrimental effects of mistreatment can lead to awareness and possibly change how society and authorities treat individuals. By highlighting the madness that arises from persecution, he hopes to show that his struggles and sacrifices hold value in promoting understanding and empathy.
In practice
In a speech about mental health awareness, this quote can be used to highlight the effects of societal neglect.
I had no answer to those questions, only hope. With absolutely no one to turn to, no Mikey, no Axe, no Danny, I have to face the final battle by myself, maybe lonely, maybe desolate, maybe against formidable odds. But I was not giving up. I had only one Teammate. And He moved, as ever, in mysterious ways. But I was a Christian, and He had somehow saved me from a thousand AK-47 bullets on that day. No one had shot me, which was well nigh beyond all comprehension.
I am afraid that Yazidis and Yazidism will vanish and will not be able to resist the extremists.
If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies.
Simply having the courage to say senseless things made me euphoric. I was free, with no need to seek or to give explanations for what I was doing. This freedom lifted me to the heavens - where greater love, one that forgives everything and never allows you to feel abandoned, once again enveloped me.
We all know fear. But passion makes us fearless.
The courage to be is the courage to accept oneself, in spite of being unacceptable.
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