The action we take and the decisions we make in this decade will have consequences far into this century. If America shows weakness and uncertainty, the world will drift toward tragedy. That will not happen on my watch.
George W. BushRead
We must show new energy in fighting back an old evil. Nearly two centuries after the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, and more than a century after slavery was officially ended in its last strongholds, the trade in human beings for any purpose must not be allowed to thrive in our time.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We need to actively oppose modern forms of slavery and human trafficking.
This quote emphasizes the ongoing struggle against human trafficking, highlighting the need for renewed efforts to combat this deep-rooted issue, despite the significant progress made since the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. It serves as a call to action, urging society to not become complacent and to recognize that the fight against such injustices continues in the present day.
Themes
SlaveryHuman TraffickingJusticeAbolitionEvil
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech at a humanitarian conference on modern slavery.
More from George W. Bush
All quotes →Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger.
George W. BushRead
Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended.
George W. BushRead
Use power to help people. For we are given power not to advance our own purposes nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power and it is to serve people.
George W. BushRead
Adoption was such a positive alternative to abortion, a way to save one life and brighten two more: those of the adoptive parents.
George W. BushRead
We are not deceived by their pretenses to piety. We have seen their kind before. They are the heirs of all the murderous ideologies of the 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve their radical visions - by abandoning every value except the will to power - they follow in the path of fascism, and Nazism, and totalitarianism. And they will follow that path all the way, to where it ends: in history's unmarked grave of discarded lies.
George W. BushRead
Similar quotes
If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.
Desmond TutuRead
But every time the workers come out in the only way they know to protest against conditions which are unbearable the strong hand of the law is allowed to press down heavily upon us.
Rose SchneidermanRead
The first principle of non-violent action is that of non-cooperation with everything humiliating.
Cesar ChavezRead
We put fear and prejudice on trial, and fear and prejudice lost.
David BoiesRead
We have a lot more work to do in our common struggle against bigotry and discrimination. I say "common struggle" because I believe very strongly that all forms of bigotry and discrimination are equally wrong and should be opposed by right-thinking Americans everywhere. Freedom from discrimination based on sexual orientation is surely a fundamental human right in any great democracy, as much as freedom from racial, religious, gender, or ethnic discrimination.
Coretta Scott KingRead
To be defeated and not submit, is victory; to be victorious and rest on one's laurels, is defeat.
Jozef PilsudskiRead