Basic human rights Quote by Aung San Suu Kyi
““Within a system which denies the existence of basic human rights, fear tends to be the order of the day. Fear of imprisonment, fear of torture, fear of death, fear of losing friends, family, property or means of livelihood, fear of poverty, fear of isolation, fear of failure. A most insidious form of fear is that which masquerades as common sense or even wisdom, condemning as foolish, reckless, insignificant or futile the small, daily acts of courage which help to preserve man's self-respect and inherent human dignity. It is not easy for a people conditioned by fear under the iron rule of the principle that might is right to free themselves from the enervating miasma of fear. Yet even under the most crushing state machinery courage rises up again and again, for fear is not the natural state of civilized man.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public address on human rights, 2015
Fear is used by oppressive regimes to suppress dignity, yet courage can reemerge despite systemic terror.
In simple terms: Fear is a tool of oppression; courage can survive.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate courage in the face of fear.
Themes
oppression
fear
courage
human rights
Mood
determined
serious
Type
political
inspirational
When to use this quote
- authoritarian rule
- activism
- personal risk
- social movements
Key Concepts
psychological control
resilience
civil liberties
Questions to Reflect On
- What daily acts of courage can you practice?
- How does fear masquerade as common sense?
A Different Perspective
Courage alone may not dismantle entrenched power.
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