Most of us came here in chains and most of you came here to escape your chains. Your freedom was our slavery, and therein lies the bitter difference in the way we look at life.
John Oliver KillensRead
What a tiresome place America would be if freedom meant we all had to think alike or be the same color or wear the same gray flannel suit! That road leads to the conformity of the graveyard!
Interpretation
What this quote means
Freedom allows for diversity in thoughts and appearances, and conformity detracts from the essence of life.
This quote by John Oliver Killens emphasizes the importance of individuality and diversity in society. It suggests that true freedom is not about everyone conforming to a single standard or ideology; rather, it celebrates the variety of thoughts, appearances, and expressions that make life vibrant. The metaphor of the 'graveyard' signifies that conformity leads to a lifeless existence, devoid of the richness that comes from diverse perspectives.
Themes
FreedomDiversityIndividualityConformitySociety
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of diversity in the workplace.
More from John Oliver Killens
All quotes →Similar quotes
I am quite ready to acknowledge . . . that I ought to be grieved at death, if I were not persuaded that I am going to other gods who are wise and good (of this I am as certain as I can be of any such matters), and to men departed who are better than those whom I leave behind. And therefore I do not grieve as I might have done, for I have good hope that there is yet something remaining for the dead.
SocratesRead
EXISTENCE, n. A transient, horrible, fantastic dream,/ Wherein is nothing yet all things do seem:/ From which we're wakened by a friendly nudge/ Of our bedfellow Death, and cry: "O fudge!"
Ambrose BierceRead
All wars are boyish, and are fought by boys.
Herman MelvilleRead
Only a look and a voice; then darkness again and silence.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
The greed of gain has no time or limit to its capaciousness. Its one object is to produce and consume. It has pity neither for beautiful nature nor for living human beings. It is ruthlessly ready without a moment's hesitation to crush beauty and life.
Rabindranath TagoreRead
We always long for the forbidden things, and desire what is denied us.
Francois RabelaisRead