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The test of democracy is freedom of criticism.
David Ben-Gurion
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Democracy is validated through the ability to freely express criticism.

David Ben-Gurion's quote highlights that a true democratic society allows its citizens to voice their criticisms freely without fear of repercussions. This freedom of expression is essential for the health of democracy, as it encourages open dialogue and accountability among leaders and institutions.

Themes

DemocracyFreedomCriticismExpressionAccountability

In practice

Example use cases

Using this quote during a debate on the importance of free speech in political discussions.

More from David Ben-Gurion

We offer peace and neighborliness to all the neighboring states and their peoples, and invite them to cooperate with the independent Hebrew nation for the common good of all.
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Without moral and intellectual independence, there is no anchor for national independence.
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Anyone who believes you can't change history has never tried to write his memoirs.
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Those who today murdered our people in an ambush not only plotted to murder some Jews but intended to provoke us... The Arabs stand to gain from such a development. They want the country to be in a state of perpetual pogrom.... Any further bloodshed [by the Jews] will only bring political advantage to the Arabs and harm us... Our strength is in the defense... and this strength will give us political victory if England and the world will know that we are defending ourselves rather than attacking.
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After eighty, there are no enemies, only survivors.
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We do not want to create a situation like that which exists in South Africa, where the whites are the owners and rulers, and the blacks are the workers. If we do not do all kinds of work, easy and hard, skilled and unskilled, if we become merely landlords, then this will not be our homeland
David Ben-GurionRead

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