--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To become self-aware, people must be…" description: "\"To become self-aware, people must be allowed to hear a plurality of opinions and then make up their own minds. They must be allowed to say, write and p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/170/ma-jian-14632_expression_to-become-self-aware-people-must-be-allo_1658534.jpg" --- # To become self-aware, people must be allowed to hear a… ![“To become self-aware, people must be allowed to hear a plurality of opinions and then make up their own minds. They must be allowed to say, write and publish whatever they want. Freedom of expression is the most basic, but fundamental, right. Without it, human beings are reduced to automatons.” quote by Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/170/ma-jian-14632_expression_to-become-self-aware-people-must-be-allo_1658534.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/170/ma-jian-14632_expression_to-become-self-aware-people-must-be-allo_1658534.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/170/ma-jian-14632_expression_to-become-self-aware-people-must-be-allo_1658534.jpg) > “To become self-aware, people must be allowed to hear a plurality of opinions and then make up their own minds. They must be allowed to say, write and publish whatever they want. Freedom of expression is the most basic, but fundamental, right. Without it, human beings are reduced to automatons.” [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True self-awareness requires hearing diverse views and forming independent judgments; censorship turns people into unthinking machines. **In simple terms:** Freedom of speech fuels personal growth. Key Takeaway Protect free speech. Themes censorship autonomy self-awareness Mood critical thoughtful Type political philosophical When to use this quote - education - media consumption - public debate - online platforms Key Concepts political philosophy human rights Questions to Reflect On - What limits, if any, should free expression have? - How does diversity of opinion shape identity? A Different Perspective Balancing free speech with hate speech concerns is complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Freedom of expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-of-expression/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [It's important to be self-aware about what people are saying about you, but even more so, be very aware of who you actually are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/it-s-important-to-be-self-aware-about-what-people-are-saying-about/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [We just may be the most well-informed, yet least self-aware, people in history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-lear/we-just-may-be-the-most-well-informed-yet-least-self-aware-people-in/) [Norman Lear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-lear/) > [You must have your wits about you. No wandering minds allowed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pseudonymous-bosch/you-must-have-your-wits-about-you-no-wandering-minds-allowed/) [Pseudonymous Bosch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pseudonymous-bosch/) > [No wandering minds allowed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pseudonymous-bosch/no-wandering-minds-allowed/) [Pseudonymous Bosch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pseudonymous-bosch/) > [I believe in the freedom of expression, unequivocally - though, as I have written before, I wish more people would understand that freedom of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxane-gay/i-believe-in-the-freedom-of-expression-unequivocally-though-as-i-have/) [Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxane-gay/) > [People who think of children's nudity as a tool don't need freedom of expression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-chan/people-who-think-of-children-s-nudity-as-a-tool-don-t-need-freedom-of/) Agnes Chan > [Akbar Ganji is a human rights activist in Iran and he works on freedom of expression and he does his job very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/akbar-ganji-is-a-human-rights-activist-in-iran-and-he-works-on/) [Shirin Ebadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirin-ebadi/) > [“There were counter-protests, of course, and in the end Mapplethorpe’s work was exhibited, but the message to the arts community was clear: stray too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bayles/there-were-counter-protests-of-course-and-in-the-end-mapplethorpe-s/) [David Bayles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bayles/) > [All over the world, there is someone sitting in a cell because he or she is not allowed freedom of expression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/all-over-the-world-there-is-someone-sitting-in-a-cell-because-he-or/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [We thought the church had withdrawn from interfering in Italian politics... but instead there is a terrible resurgence. 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Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-o-douglas/) > [We live in a democratic country, and I take great pride in saying that I'm from India, a country where democracy is worshipped and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manoj-bajpayee/we-live-in-a-democratic-country-and-i-take-great-pride-in-saying-that/) [Manoj Bajpayee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manoj-bajpayee/) > [“Mubarak said: I talk to you during critical times that are testing Egypt and its people which could sweep them into the unknown ……](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amiso-m-george/mubarak-said-i-talk-to-you-during-critical-times-that-are-testing/) Amiso M. George > [Well, one thing, you got to stand in a courtroom and listen to a judge sentencing you to 25 years in prison before you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-flynt/well-one-thing-you-got-to-stand-in-a-courtroom-and-listen-to-a-judge/) [Larry Flynt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-flynt/) > [It's one of the things I really admire about Sly - we were all allowed to use our creativity, to have freedom of expression…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-graham/it-s-one-of-the-things-i-really-admire-about-sly-we-were-all-allowed/) [Larry Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-graham/) ## More by Ma Jian > [Everything I was I carry with me, everything I will belies waiting on the road ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jian/everything-i-was-i-carry-with-me-everything-i-will-belies-waiting-on/) [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) > [I am trying to persuade my family to spend more time in China. It's no fun to be in exile. I can't even figure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jian/i-am-trying-to-persuade-my-family-to-spend-more-time-in-china-it-s-no/) [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) > [“I see my skeleton walking down the street now. I’m walking behind it. Our feet touch the ground at the same time. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jian/i-see-my-skeleton-walking-down-the-street-now-i-m-walking-behind-it/) [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) > [Red Dust was about the late 1980s; it was a time of burgeoning hopes and opening up and people searching for new ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jian/red-dust-was-about-the-late-1980s-it-was-a-time-of-burgeoning-hopes/) [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) > [I meant that the Chinese people are not aware of their own entrapment. They believe they live in a free society, but don't realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jian/i-meant-that-the-chinese-people-are-not-aware-of-their-own-entrapment/) [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) > [I am completely in favour of dialogue and engagement. But it must be a true, open dialogue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jian/i-am-completely-in-favour-of-dialogue-and-engagement-but-it-must-be-a/) [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) > [I have to live within my memories, within my private universe, and continually return to China, the land where my thoughts are locked. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jian/i-have-to-live-within-my-memories-within-my-private-universe-and/) [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) > [After the Tiananmen Massacre, I felt compelled not only to continue writing but to actively resist the restrictions placed on freedom of speech. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jian/after-the-tiananmen-massacre-i-felt-compelled-not-only-to-continue/) [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) > [The Beijing Olympics represent China's grand entrance onto the world stage and confirmation of its new superpower status.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jian/the-beijing-olympics-represent-china-s-grand-entrance-onto-the-world/) [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) > [China is completely lacking in self-awareness and as someone who has stepped outside that society, I have a responsibility to write about it as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jian/china-is-completely-lacking-in-self-awareness-and-as-someone-who-has/) [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) > [“When our parents are alive, they stand in front of us, blocking our view of death. But once they’ve gone, we find ourselves at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jian/when-our-parents-are-alive-they-stand-in-front-of-us-blocking-our/) [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) > [It is vitally important for me, both personally and for my writing, to be able to return to China freely, so being barred entry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jian/it-is-vitally-important-for-me-both-personally-and-for-my-writing-to/) [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) > [The literal meaning of the Chinese characters for revolution is elimination of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jian/the-literal-meaning-of-the-chinese-characters-for-revolution-is/) [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) > [“Before the sparrow arrived, you had almost stopped thinking about flight. Then, last winter, it soared through the sky and landed in front of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jian/before-the-sparrow-arrived-you-had-almost-stopped-thinking-about/) [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) > [In my 20s, when I was a photojournalist in Beijing. I joined an underground art group and put on clandestine exhibitions of my paintings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ma-jian/in-my-20s-when-i-was-a-photojournalist-in-beijing-i-joined-an/) [Ma Jian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) [Explore all 46 Ma Jian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ma-jian/) ## More Expression quotes > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. The lyrics are the answer to all your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-asking-a-girl-how-she-feels-try-looking-through-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The concept of humanity is an especially useful ideological instrument of imperialist expansion, and in its ethical-humanitarian form it is a specific vehicle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-schmitt/the-concept-of-humanity-is-an-especially-useful-ideological/) [Carl Schmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-schmitt/) > [To evoke in oneself a feeling one has once experienced, and having evoked it in oneself, then by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-evoke-in-oneself-a-feeling-one-has-once-experienced-and-having/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Our fashion for us, it's an expression; first of all of life, I put all of myself in my fashion. Sometimes it's good, sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefano-gabbana/our-fashion-for-us-it-s-an-expression-first-of-all-of-life-i-put-all/) [Stefano Gabbana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefano-gabbana/) > [We can see nothing whatever of the soul unless it is visible in the expression of the countenance; one might call the faces at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/we-can-see-nothing-whatever-of-the-soul-unless-it-is-visible-in-the/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [Early experience shapes the structure and function of the brain. This reveals the fundamental way in which gene expression is determined by experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-j-siegel/early-experience-shapes-the-structure-and-function-of-the-brain-this/) [Daniel J. Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-j-siegel/) > [Singing has always seemed to me the most perfect means of expression. It is so spontaneous. And after singing, I think the violin. Since…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-o-keeffe/singing-has-always-seemed-to-me-the-most-perfect-means-of-expression/) [Georgia O'Keeffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-o-keeffe/) > [Every genuine expression of love grows out of a consistent and total surrender to God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/every-genuine-expression-of-love-grows-out-of-a-consistent-and-total/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Nick looked vaguely homicidal, but that was sort of his default expression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/nick-looked-vaguely-homicidal-but-that-was-sort-of-his-default/) [Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/) > [They are the gateway for our modern esthetic development, the prophets of the new time. They are most of all, the primitives of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsden-hartley/they-are-the-gateway-for-our-modern-esthetic-development-the-prophets/) [Marsden Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsden-hartley/) > [The mountain receives our expressions and becomes part of us; we imprint our memories upon it and trust it with out dearest divisions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-barcott/the-mountain-receives-our-expressions-and-becomes-part-of-us-we/) [Bruce Barcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-barcott/) > [In science, the most exciting expression isn’t ‘Eureka!’ It’s ‘Huh?’](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hawley/in-science-the-most-exciting-expression-isn-t-eureka-it-s-huh/) Michael Hawley > [A commitment to lifelong learning is a natural expression of the practice of living consciously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/a-commitment-to-lifelong-learning-is-a-natural-expression-of-the/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) [Browse all 5,024 Expression quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To become self-aware, people must be allowed to hear a plurality of opinions and then make up their own minds. 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