--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is hard to speak the truth about…" description: "\"It is hard to speak the truth about valued national institutions. But when they are not fit for purpose, we must speak out.\" — David Lammy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/525/david-lammy-4617_hard_it-is-hard-to-speak-the-truth-about-valu_551219.png" --- # It is hard to speak the truth about valued national… ![“It is hard to speak the truth about valued national institutions. But when they are not fit for purpose, we must speak out.” quote by David Lammy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/525/david-lammy-4617_hard_it-is-hard-to-speak-the-truth-about-valu_551219.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/525/david-lammy-4617_hard_it-is-hard-to-speak-the-truth-about-valu_551219.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/525/david-lammy-4617_hard_it-is-hard-to-speak-the-truth-about-valu_551219.png) > “It is hard to speak the truth about valued national institutions. But when they are not fit for purpose, we must speak out.” [David Lammy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lammy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Speaking truth about institutions is essential, especially when they fail their purpose. **In simple terms:** Speak truth when institutions fail. Key Takeaway Hold institutions accountable. Themes civic duty integrity accountability Mood serious determined Type political advocacy When to use this quote - political debate - media commentary - community meetings Key Concepts public discourse ethical responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What evidence supports your critique? - How can you protect yourself when speaking out? A Different Perspective Risk of backlash or censorship. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard/) [Institutions Fit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/institutions-fit-4588801/) [National](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national/) [National Institutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-institutions-3915748/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Purpose Speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-speak-1740644/) [Speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak/) [Speak the truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak-the-truth/) [Speak Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak-truth/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Valued National](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/valued-national-4588802/) ## Related quotes > [I feel like it's almost my purpose to speak up about my experience so it could help somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/normani-hamilton/i-feel-like-it-s-almost-my-purpose-to-speak-up-about-my-experience-so/) [Normani Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/normani-hamilton/) > [As a Londoner who delights in the capital's dynamism and diversity, I none the less agree with Ken Livingstone that London hosts too great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-adonis-baron-adonis/as-a-londoner-who-delights-in-the-capital-s-dynamism-and-diversity-i/) [Andrew Adonis, Baron Adonis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-adonis-baron-adonis/) > [Gadhafi has established no national institutions, not even allowing a fake parliament of the Mubarak or Ben Ali variety that could perhaps be turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-abrams/gadhafi-has-established-no-national-institutions-not-even-allowing-a/) [Elliott Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-abrams/) > [... a nation to be strong, must be united; to be united, must be equal in condition; to be equal in condition, must be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-wright/a-nation-to-be-strong-must-be-united-to-be-united-must-be-equal-in/) [Frances Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-wright/) > [I would rather speak the truth to ten men than blandishments and lying to a million. 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