Activity Quote by John Gummer
“A tolerant society is one in which we criminalise an activity only as a last resort. Toleration is not just about allowing people to do things of which we approve, but about allowing them to do things of which we do not approve.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: House of Commons debate on drug policy, 1998
Tolerance means restricting actions only when necessary, not merely accepting what we like.
In simple terms: Restrict only as last resort.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize proportional response over blanket bans.
Themes
law
ethics
society
policy
tolerance
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- drug enforcement
- free speech
- public gatherings
Key Concepts
proportionality
civil liberties
public health
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it justified to criminalize?
- What alternatives exist to prohibition?
A Different Perspective
Strict policies may ignore nuanced harms.
