--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Freedom of speech wasn't won by being…" description: "\"Freedom of speech wasn't won by being nice, it has been won by struggle with religion.\" — David Starkey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/265/david-starkey-4242_being_freedom-of-speech-wasn-t-won-by-being-ni_2281061.png" --- # Freedom of speech wasn't won by being nice, it has been… ![“Freedom of speech wasn't won by being nice, it has been won by struggle with religion.” quote by David Starkey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/265/david-starkey-4242_being_freedom-of-speech-wasn-t-won-by-being-ni_2281061.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/265/david-starkey-4242_being_freedom-of-speech-wasn-t-won-by-being-ni_2281061.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/265/david-starkey-4242_being_freedom-of-speech-wasn-t-won-by-being-ni_2281061.png) > “Freedom of speech wasn't won by being nice, it has been won by struggle with religion.” [David Starkey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-starkey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Free speech is secured through struggle against religious authority, not through politeness, emphasizing conflict as a catalyst for liberty. **In simple terms:** Free speech won by conflict, not niceness. Key Takeaway Challenge oppressive ideas to protect speech. Themes freedom conflict religion politics Mood critical assertive Type political philosophical When to use this quote - political debates - legal reforms - social movements Key Concepts civil liberties secularism activism Questions to Reflect On - What role should civility play in free speech? - How can we protect speech without inciting violence? A Different Perspective Conflict can also suppress speech; balance is needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Freedom of speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-of-speech/) [Freedom Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-speech/) [Nice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nice/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle/) [Struggle Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle-religion-5324117/) [Won Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/won-struggle-1459258/) ## Related quotes > [We have no right to believe that freedom can be won without struggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/che-guevara/we-have-no-right-to-believe-that-freedom-can-be-won-without-struggle/) [Che Guevara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/che-guevara/) > [Only through hardship, sacrifice and militant action can freedom be won. 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