One of the curious things about censorship is that no one seems to believe in it for himself. We want censorship to protect someone else— the young, the unstable, the suggestible, the stupid. I have never heard of anyone who wanted a film or speaker banned because otherwise he himself might be harmed.
Interpretation
Censorship is often sought to protect others, but not for oneself.
This quote highlights the irony of censorship, suggesting that people typically advocate for restricting information or expression to safeguard others rather than out of self-interest. It questions the motivations behind censorship and implies that individuals rarely feel the need to censor content for their own protection, emphasizing a paradox in the way society approaches freedom of speech and protection from harmful ideas.
In practice
During a debate on freedom of speech, one could use this quote to illustrate the complexities of censorship.
No one can say just how long a message should be, but you rarely hear complaints about a speech being too short. The amateur worries about what he is going to put in his speech or article. The expert worries about what he should take out.
It is the resurrection that makes Good Friday good.
In our hyper-secular world, worship is still inevitable. But it is vital to remember that our gods don't choose us, we choose them.
A very great part of the mischiefs that vex the world arises from words.
Woman’s bodies continue to be dismembered in advertising. Over and over again just one part of the body is used to sell products, which is one of the most dehumanizing thing you can do to someone. Not only is she a thing, but just one part of that thing is focused on.
Christmas renews our youth by stirring our wonder. The capacity for wonder has been called our most pregnant human faculty, for in it are born our art, our science, our religion.
I no longer wield the power of the office for the government of the church, but in the service of prayer I remain, so to speak, within St. Peter's bounds. St. Benedict, whose name I bear as pope, shall be a great example in this for me. He showed us the way to a life which, active or passive, belongs wholly to the work of God.
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