Dogmatic toleration is nonsense: I would no more tolerate…
“Dogmatic toleration is nonsense: I would no more tolerate the teaching of Calvinism to children if I had power to persecute it than the British Raj tolerated suttee in India. Every civilized authority must draw a line between the tolerable and the intolerable.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He argues that tolerating harmful ideologies is as unacceptable as tolerating oppressive practices.
In simple terms: Intolerable ideas must be opposed.
Key Takeaway
Identify and challenge harmful doctrines.
Themes
ethics
politics
religion
Mood
thought‑provoking
controversial
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- education policy
- religious instruction
- human rights law
Key Concepts
tolerance
extremism
historical oppression
Questions to Reflect On
- When is tolerance harmful?
- How to balance freedom and safety?
A Different Perspective
Tolerance can be misused to protect dangerous beliefs.