If freedom makes social progress possible, so social progress strengthens and enlarges freedom. The two are inseparable partners in the great adventure of humanity.
Robert KennedyRead
This much is clear: violence breeds violence, repression brings retaliation, and only a cleansing of our whole society can remove this sickness from our soul.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Violence and oppression lead to further conflict; true healing requires a societal transformation.
In this quote, Robert Kennedy highlights the cyclical nature of violence and repression. He argues that when violence is used to control people, it only creates more violence in return. Furthermore, he posits that to truly heal and rid society of its moral ills, a collective effort toward cleansing and transformation is necessary, rather than merely addressing symptoms of the issues.
Themes
ViolenceRepressionSocietyCleansingTransformation
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about conflict resolution, one might invoke this quote to emphasize the need for societal change rather than retaliation.
More from Robert Kennedy
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Within the United States, we have put great emphasis upon political freedoms. Because it has been our experience that these freedoms can lead to others.
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It is one thing to open job opportunities. It is another to train people to fill them, or to persuade American enterprise to seek Negro as well as white applicants.
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Our attitude towards immigration reflects our faith in the American ideal. We have always believed it possible for men and women who start at the bottom to rise as far as the talent and energy allow. Neither race nor place of birth should affect their chances.
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