Quotes by famous people, credited to who said them. Your own quotes must not match any of these. More are added all the time. 1,161,747 quotes Who coined it · How we decide
EnglishItalianoPolskiעבריתFrançaisPortuguêsفارسیEspañol中文РусскийDeutschالعربيةहिन्दी日本語ΕλληνικάLatinaNederlands
Freedom
LoveFriendshipHappinessHopeFearCourageDeathLifeTimeWarPeaceFreedomTruthWisdomKnowledgeScienceArtMusicNatureMoneyWorkPowerGodBeautyLaughterFamilySuccess and failureChangeDreamsBooks and reading
“Security, freedom, dignity, if we had these three we could say that it has been worth while being born into this world and I would like all the young people of Burma and young people all over the world to be able to feel that it was right that they have been born into this world.”
Aung San Suu Kyi (born 1945) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I would not like young people to ask this question, why were we born at all. I want them to ask every kind of question but for them to question why they have been born to a situation which does not assure them of their right to dignity and to freedom from want and from fear, that is not the kind of question I would want anyone to ask.”
Aung San Suu Kyi (born 1945) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Love flowers best in openness and freedom.”
Edward Abbey (1927–1989) said by 1989 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Somewhere in the depths of solitude, beyond wilderness and freedom, lay the trap of madness.”
Edward Abbey (1927–1989) said by 1989 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Freedom begins between the ears.”
Edward Abbey (1927–1989) said by 1989 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Democracy is the destiny of humanity; freedom its indestructible arm.”
Benito Juárez (1806–1872) said by 1872 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted by US President John F. Kennedy in a speech. (29 June 1962)
“Envy, jealousy, ambition, any kind of greed are passions; love is an action, the practice of human power, which can be practiced only in freedom and never as a result of compulsion. Love is an activity, not a passive affect; it is a "standing in," not a "falling for." In the most general way, the active character of love can be described by stating that love is primarily giving, not receiving.”
Erich Fromm (1900–1980) said by 1980 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“By incestuous symbiosis is meant the tendency to stay tied to the mother and to her equivalents — blood, family, tribe — to fly from the unbearable weight of responsibility, of freedom, of awareness, and to be protected and loved in a state of certainty dependence that the individual pays for with the ceasing of his own human development.”
Erich Fromm (1900–1980) said by 1980 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I believe that the man choosing progress can find a new unity through the full development of all his human forces, which are produced in three orientations. These can be presented separately or together: biophilia, love for humanity and nature, and independence and freedom.”
Erich Fromm (1900–1980) said by 1980 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If the psychic energies of the average mass of people watching a football game or a musical comedy could be diverted into the rational channels of a freedom movement, they would be invincible.”
Wilhelm Reich (1897–1957) said by 1957 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You worship the Christ child. The Christ child was born of a mother who had no marriage certificate. What you worship in the Christ child, you poor little marriage-ridden man, is your own yearning for sexual freedom!”
Wilhelm Reich (1897–1957) said by 1957 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Everyone suddenly burst out singing; And I was filled with such delight As prisoned birds must find in freedom.”
Siegfried Sassoon (1886–1967) first seen 1919 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Everyone Sang" (1919)
“In its relation to the reality of daily life, the high culture of the past was many things—opposition and adornment, outcry and resignation. But it was also the appearance of the realm of freedom: the refusal to behave.”
Herbert Marcuse (1898–1979) said by 1979 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A lack of moral clarity is also the tragedy that has befallen efforts to advance peace and security in the world. Promoting peace and security is fundamentally connected to promoting freedom and democracy.”
Natan Sharansky (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The conviction that freedom is a universal desire is not the property of any political camp. ... Yet those who hold it remain a precious few, outnumbered many times over by the skeptics who don't.”
Natan Sharansky (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Freedom's skeptics must understand that the democracy that hates you is less dangerous than the dictator who loves you. Indeed, it is the absence of democracy that represents the real threat to peace.”
Natan Sharansky (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I am jealous of men. I envy the man his physical freedom to lead a double life.”
Sylvia Plath (1932–1963) first seen 1950 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Diary entry from 1951 in The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath, 1950–1962 (New York: Anchor Books) as cited by Cordelia Jenkins in "The 'definitive account' of Sylvia Plath" Financial Times (November 13, 2000)
“Freedom in not a luxury that we can indulge in when at last we have security and prosperity and enlightenment; it is, rather, antecedent to all of these, for without it we can have neither security nor prosperity nor enlightenment.”
Henry Steele Commager (1902–1998) said by 1998 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If the preservation of our freedom depends upon the courts then we are, indeed, lost, for in the long run neither courts nor Constitution can save us from our own errors, follies, or wickedness.”
Henry Steele Commager (1902–1998) said by 1998 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I was brought up to believe that there is no virtue in conforming meekly to the dominant opinion of the moment. I was encouraged to believe that simple conformity results in stagnation for a society, and that American progress has been largely owing to the opportunity for experimentation, the leeway given initiative, and to a gusto and a freedom for chewing over odd ideas.”
Jane Jacobs (1916–2006) said by 2006 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It's in the private places of the heart that freedom is made or unmade by the discipline we create there.”
Alan Keyes (born 1950) first seen 1995 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Delaware State Republican Dinner (8 April 1995)
“Freedom does not mean doing what you can get away with, doing what you please. It means, instead, having the opportunity to do what you ought to do--for family and for community and for humanity as a whole.”
Alan Keyes (born 1950) first seen 2000 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech at Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco (4 March 2000)
“So it's home again, and home again, America for me! My heart is turning home again, and there I long to be, In the land of youth and freedom beyond the ocean bars, Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars!”
Henry van Dyke (1852–1933) first seen 1909 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: America for Me, st. 2 (1909)
“I have no joy in strife, Peace is my great desire; Yet God forbid I lose my life Through fear to face the fire.A peaceful man must fight For that which peace demands,— Freedom and faith, honor and right, Defend with heart and hands.”
Henry van Dyke (1852–1933) first seen 1918 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Peaceful Warrior, st. 1-2 (May 1918).
“Some people say I make mistakes, I just say that in fact this is the secret of enjoying life. I hate monotony. Why don’t they leave me freedom of choice? People want to impose choices which aren’t necessarily mine. That’s the mistake people make.”
Bode Miller (born 1977) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“What was the most important thing for (Mandela) was his release from prison and nothing else. He cherished that freedom more than anything else and forgot why he was put in jail.”
Robert Mugabe (1924–2019) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "WATCH: 'Fascinating' video of Mugabe talking 'non-racialism' like Mandela goes viral on social media" (16 September 2017), News24, South Africa
“The image of rock and roll since Elvis has ranged from teen rebellion to challenging of the status quo. It represented freedom in the 60's, but lately it represents corporate hegemony, the opposite of what hippies envisioned at Woodstock. The RIAA to many consumers today symbolizes oppression, oppression of both artist and consumer.”
Richard Menta first seen 2003 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Source The RIAA Settles Fast With 12-year-old Trader - 9/10/2003
“The true source of freedom is found in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Christians believe it is he who fully discloses the human potential for virtue and goodness, and it is he who liberates us from sin and darkness.”
Pope Benedict XVI (1927–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There is something sinister that stems from the fact that freedom and tolerance are so often separated from truth. This is fuelled by the notion, widely held today, that there are no absolute truths to guide our lives. Relativism, by indiscriminately giving value to practically everything, has made 'experience' all-important.”
Pope Benedict XVI (1927–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“One must not fear truth, because it is a friend of man and of his freedom”
Pope Benedict XVI (1927–2022) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In General Audience, General Audience 30 September 2009 (30 September 2009)
“What an incalculable debt do we owe to that little speck of land, Greece.—The principles of taste, the finest models of composition, the doctrines and the glorious examples to which we owe political freedom, the arts, the sciences, architecture, sculpture, every thing that is great and splendid in literature and politics, must be considered as ultimately derived from that little peninsula.”
Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800–1859) first seen 1807 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Zachary Macaulay (8 September 1821), quoted in The Letters of Thomas Babington Macaulay, Volume I: 1807–February 1831, ed. Thomas Pinney (1974), p. 163
“The Court's opinion serves up a freedom-destroying cocktail consisting of two parts patent falsity.”
Antonin Scalia (1936–2016) first seen 1683 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Navarette v. California, 134 S. Ct. 1683, 1697, 188 L. Ed. 2d 680 (2014).
“It is, I believe, impossible to justify the sacrifice of even a portion of our historic individual freedom for a purpose such as [giving blacks, Latinos and Jews the right to be served in local motels, hotels and restaurants].”
William Rehnquist (1924–2005) first seen 1991 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to the Phoenix, Arizona city council, as cited in The Rehnquist Court : Bill Rehnquist Was Once Considered An Extremist. Now His Views Almost Always Become The Law Of The Land., by David G. Savage, in the LA Time…
“While the Constitution guarantees press freedom, it must be used with sensitivity, respect and good judgement in a multi-cultural and multi-religious country such as ours," he said. (Pacific Magazine).”
Laisenia Qarase (1941–2020) said by 2020 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Freedom carries obligations and responsibilities. This applies, in particular, to the news media. Our media have an obligation to exercise their responsibilities in a manner that reflects the social, cultural and religious values of our different communities. (Pacific Magazine).”
Laisenia Qarase (1941–2020) said by 2020 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Love can't flourish in a "society" based on money and meaningless work, but rather requires complete economic, as well as personal, freedom, leisure time and the opportunity to engage in intensely absorbing, emotionally satisfying activities which, when shared with those you respect, lead to deep friendship, but which our "society" provides practically no opportunity to engage in.”
Valerie Solanas (1936–1988) said by 1988 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Here is a land full of power and glory Beauty that words cannot recall Oh her power shall rest on the strength of her freedom Her glory shall rest on us all.”
Phil Ochs (1940–1976) said by 1976 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Our Fiji today is a new Fiji where individual freedom is protected and not a Fiji solely for Fijians. Wise decisions from this august house will promote multiracial harmony and true friendship.”
Frank Bainimarama (born 1954) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Religion is against women's rights and women's freedom. In all societies women are oppressed by all religions.”
Taslima Nasrin (born 1962) first seen 1995 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Taslima Nasrin: A Writer On Trial", Interview with Kerry O'Brien on "Lateline", ABC TV (1995).
“Every ban and censorship hurt. But banishment hurts the most. Banishment took away the ground from beneath my feet. What I need now most is a firm footing to stand up somewhere to fight for the freedom of expression. I was banished from both East and West Bengal.”
Taslima Nasrin (born 1962) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Taslima Nasrin, Inteview with Firstpost, (2016)
“[Women in Islamic countries] are exposed to male domination as a rule rather than as an exception... If anyone protests... as I have done, you are sure to be branded as a witch... What I demand is freedom for women from male domination and a uniform code... It that can be construed as blasphemy, I cannot help it.”
Taslima Nasrin (born 1962) first seen 2000 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted from Ram Swarup, Woman in Islam, 2000
“Those of us born after that era (of World War II), or with little or no knowledge of those experiences, take freedom for granted. In fact, we give little thought because we are preoccupied with the here and now and yet we owe a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid because you (returned servicemen) paid the price in blood.”
Joni Madraiwiwi (1957–2016) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Poppy Drive speech, 21 October 2005.
“The old Romans all wished to have a king over them because they had not yet tasted the sweetness of freedom.”
Livy (59 BC–17) said by 17 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The name of freedom regained is sweet to hear.”
Livy (59 BC–17) said by 17 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Such is the nature of crowds: either they are humble and servile or arrogant and dominating. They are incapable of making moderate use of freedom, which is the middle course, or of keeping it.”
Livy (59 BC–17) said by 17 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The merit and strength of a people are measured by their enthusiasm for freedom when the only rewards from it are anguish and martyrdom, the blood and ashes of exile, the sorrow of a house driven by the waves, and the shame of a useless life that lacks the foundation and peace of mind needed to do one's share of the common task.”
José Martí (1853–1895) said by 1895 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Sometimes the knowledge you've been given in school or by an elder - "this is just the way it is" - keeps you from accomplishing because it traps you in a box in your mind and limits your freedom to deliver.”
“We are squandering our wealth in many respects, to the extent that we persist in our imperial delusions, we're also going to squander our freedom.”
Andrew Bacevich (born 1947) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Moyer's Journal, 2008 August 15.
“The absence of all these values (marriage commitment, parental authority, and grandparent-grandchild relationships) is one of the main reasons for why our societies are faced by these violent criminal offences. As legislators, our primary role is to ensure the freedom and rights of every citizen of this country are protected.”
Koila Nailatikau (born 1953) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. You are totally wrong in saying that in most people’s eyes Hezbollah are terrorists. In most people’s eyes Israel is a terrorist state. It’s the fact that you cannot comprehend that fact that leads to bias that runs through all of your reporting and every question that you’ve asked me in this interview!”
George Galloway (born 1954) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview on Sky News (6 August 2006).