Democracy Quote by Aldous Huxley
““That so many of the well fed young television-watchers in the world's most powerful democracy should be so completely indifferent to the idea of self-government, so blankly uninterested in freedom of thought and the right to dissent, is distressing, but not too surprising. "Free as a bird", we say, and envy the winged creatures for their power of unrestricted movement in all the three dimensions. But alas, we forget the dodo. Any bird that has learned how to grub up a good living without being compelled to use its wings will soon renounce the privilege of flight and remain forever grounded.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unpublished lecture, 1955 (quoted in various collections)
The quote warns that comfort and abundance can breed apathy toward civic responsibility, leading people to abandon the active pursuit of freedom and become complacent.
In simple terms: Comfort can make people ignore their duty to think and dissent.
Key Takeaway
Stay engaged, challenge complacency.
Themes
civic duty
complacency
freedom
media influence
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political activism
- education reform
- media literacy
- community organizing
Key Concepts
democratic participation
critical thinking
social responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you notice moments when convenience reduces your political engagement?
- How can we encourage active dissent in comfortable societies?
A Different Perspective
Even in a free society, economic security can dull the instinct to defend liberty.
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