Developments in information technology and globalised media mean that the most powerful military in the history of the world can lose a war, not on the battlefield of dust and blood, but on the battlefield of world opinion.
Timothy Garton AshRead
One thing, however, I know with certainty: violence, or the direct threat of violence, of the kind we have seen in the past few days, is totally unjustified as a response to any published word or image.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Violence is an unacceptable response to expression, regardless of its nature.
In this quote, Timothy Garton Ash emphasizes the fundamental principle that resorting to violence is never justified, even in the face of words or images that may provoke or offend. He argues that instead of escalating conflict through aggression, individuals and societies should seek to address disagreements through dialogue and understanding, reinforcing the importance of freedom of expression while condemning violent reactions.
Themes
ViolenceExpressionFreedomDialogueUnjustified
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in discussions about how to handle controversial speech in a civil society.
More from Timothy Garton Ash
All quotes βThat said, the question remains: how to strike the balance between free speech and mutual respect in this mixed-up world, both blessed and cursed with instant communication? We should not fight fire with fire, threats with threats.
Timothy Garton AshRead
Similar quotes
Awareness of the divine begins with wonder.
Abraham Joshua HeschelRead
Most political leaders acquire their position by causing large numbers of people to believe that these leaders are actuated by altruistic desires
Bertrand RussellRead
Moralists and philosophers have adjudged those who throw temptation in the way of the erring, equally guilty with those who are thereby led into evil
Mark TwainRead
The noir hero is a knight in blood caked armor. He's dirty and he does his best to deny the fact that he's a hero the whole time.
Frank MillerRead
It was his subconscious which told him this - that infuriating part of a person's brain which never responds to interrogation, merely gives little meaningful nudges and then sits humming quietly to itself, saying nothing.
Douglas AdamsRead
A designer God cannot be used to explain organized complexity because any God capable of designing anything would have to be complex enough to demand the same kind of explanation in his own right.
Richard DawkinsRead