Dislike People Quote by Christopher Hitchens
““Those who, having opinions which they hold to be immensely important, and the contraries to be prodigiously hurtful, have any deep regard for the general good, will necessarily dislike, as a class and in the abstract, those who think wrong what they think right, and right what they think wrong: though they need not therefore be, nor was my father, insensible to good qualities in an opponent, nor governed in their estimation of individuals by one general presumption, instead of by the whole of their character. I grant that an earnest person, being no more infallible than other men, is liable to dislike people on account of opinions which do not merit dislike; but if he neither himself does them any ill office, nor connives at its being done by others, he is not intolerant: and the forbearance, which flows from a conscientious sense of the importance to mankind of the equal freedom of all opinions, is the only tolerance which is commendable, or, to the highest moral order of minds, possible.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Moral Obligation of Tolerance,” 1999
True tolerance respects differing opinions without hostility, focusing on character rather than isolated views.
In simple terms: Tolerance means respecting opinions, not just ideas.
Practice character‑based tolerance.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- academic debate
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you handle disagreeable opinions?
- When is it okay to challenge a view?
Tolerance may conflict with deeply held beliefs.