It's important that we elevate and primarily focus on the rights of American citizens, but it's also important that we don't forget, 95 percent of the world's population lives beyond our own borders.
Edward SnowdenRead
Being called a traitor by Dick Cheney is the highest honor you can give an American, and the more panicked talk we hear from people like him... the better off we all are.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Being labeled negatively by authority figures can sometimes signify a commitment to truth and justice.
In this quote, Edward Snowden reflects on the idea that being called a 'traitor' by someone like Dick Cheney—a controversial political figure—can actually be considered a badge of honor for those who stand against unjust practices. Snowden implies that criticism from figures associated with authority often indicates that one is on the right path, as it suggests a willingness to expose uncomfortable truths that those in power wish to keep hidden.
Themes
TraitorHonorTruthJusticeAuthority
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared in discussions about whistleblowers and the courage it takes to reveal truths.
More from Edward Snowden
All quotes →I think the most important idea is to remember that there have been times throughout American history where what is right is not the same as what is legal.
Edward SnowdenRead
Congress hasn't declared war on the countries - the majority of them are our allies - but without asking for public permission, NSA is running network operations against them that affect millions of innocent people. And for what? So we can have secret access to a computer in a country we're not even fighting?
Edward SnowdenRead
A child born today will grow up with no conception of privacy at all.
Edward SnowdenRead
I don't see myself as a hero because what I'm doing is self-interested: I don't want to live in a world where there's no privacy and therefore no room for intellectual exploration and creativity.
Edward SnowdenRead
I care more about the country than what happens to me. But we can't allow the law to become a political weapon or agree to scare people away from standing up for their rights, no matter how good the deal. I'm not going to be part of that.
Edward SnowdenRead
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