--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Multicultural societies are so invested…" description: "\"“Multicultural societies are so invested in “tolerance” that they’ll tolerate the explicitly intolerant (and avowedly unicultural) before they’ll toler..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc6/mark-steyn-1844_intolerance_multicultural-societies-are-so-invested_1479999.png" --- # Multicultural societies are so invested in “tolerance”… ![“Multicultural societies are so invested in “tolerance” that they’ll tolerate the explicitly intolerant (and avowedly unicultural) before they’ll tolerate anyone pointing out that intolerance.” quote by Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc6/mark-steyn-1844_intolerance_multicultural-societies-are-so-invested_1479999.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc6/mark-steyn-1844_intolerance_multicultural-societies-are-so-invested_1479999.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc6/mark-steyn-1844_intolerance_multicultural-societies-are-so-invested_1479999.png) > ““Multicultural societies are so invested in “tolerance” that they’ll tolerate the explicitly intolerant (and avowedly unicultural) before they’ll tolerate anyone pointing out that intolerance.”” [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Societies overemphasize tolerance, allowing overt intolerance while suppressing critique of that intolerance. **In simple terms:** Excessive tolerance can enable intolerance. Key Takeaway Critically assess what tolerance truly means. Themes tolerance societal norms paradox Mood critical thoughtful Type philosophical political When to use this quote - public policy - cultural debates - media discourse - education curricula Key Concepts political philosophy social critique Questions to Reflect On - When does tolerance become complicity? - How can societies protect free speech without endorsing hate? A Different Perspective Balancing tolerance and critique is complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Intolerance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intolerance/) [Tolerance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tolerance/) ## Related quotes > [I resolutely believe that respect for diversity is a fundamental pillar in the eradication of racism, xenophobia and intolerance. There is no excuse for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rigoberta-menchu/i-resolutely-believe-that-respect-for-diversity-is-a-fundamental/) [Rigoberta Menchu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rigoberta-menchu/) > [I have seen gross intolerance shown in support of toleration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/i-have-seen-gross-intolerance-shown-in-support-of-toleration/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [“The only thing we cannot reasonably tolerate, is intolerance”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-bonelli/the-only-thing-we-cannot-reasonably-tolerate-is-intolerance/) Zachary Bonelli > [If the bell of intolerance tolls for one, it tolls for all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-seidel-canby/if-the-bell-of-intolerance-tolls-for-one-it-tolls-for-all/) [Henry Seidel Canby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-seidel-canby/) > [“In some cases, I am able to respect what so many call bigots. Such people have a more solid foundation for drawing their lines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/in-some-cases-i-am-able-to-respect-what-so-many-call-bigots-such/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [It is intolerance to speak of toleration. Away with the word from the dictionary!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-de-riqueti-marquis-de-mirabeau/it-is-intolerance-to-speak-of-toleration-away-with-the-word-from-the/) [Victor de Riqueti, marquis de Mirabeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-de-riqueti-marquis-de-mirabeau/) > [Intolerance has been the curse of our country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-larkin/intolerance-has-been-the-curse-of-our-country/) [James Larkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-larkin/) > [“These days, though, tolerance means that you accept the other person's views as being true or legitimate. If you claim that someone is wrong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-copan/these-days-though-tolerance-means-that-you-accept-the-other-person-s/) [Paul Copan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-copan/) > [Let us develop respect for all living things. Let us try to replace violence and intolerance with understanding and compassion. And love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-goodall/let-us-develop-respect-for-all-living-things-let-us-try-to-replace/) [Jane Goodall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-goodall/) > [Intolerance is the most socially acceptable form of egotism, for it permits us to assume superiority without personal boasting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/intolerance-is-the-most-socially-acceptable-form-of-egotism-for-it/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [“Why is it that, for one religion to be true, all other religions have to be false!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/why-is-it-that-for-one-religion-to-be-true-all-other-religions-have/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“It's probably those lactose-intolerant freaks. We all know there's nothing cool about intolerance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caprice-crane/it-s-probably-those-lactose-intolerant-freaks-we-all-know-there-s/) [Caprice Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caprice-crane/) > [“People thought tolerance was the opposite of intolerance. Whereas in fact it was some meaningless neutrality. A child, any child, growing up, discovering herself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-o-neill/people-thought-tolerance-was-the-opposite-of-intolerance-whereas-in/) [Jamie O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-o-neill/) > [Intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/intolerance-is-itself-a-form-of-violence-and-an-obstacle-to-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“The Naskar Scandal (Sonnet 2945) Some have problem with my inclusivity, some have problem with my vastness, some have problem with my velocity, some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/the-naskar-scandal-sonnet-2945-some-have-problem-with-my-inclusivity/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) ## More by Mark Steyn > [Popular culture as a whole is popular, but in today's fragmented market it's a jostle of competing unpopular popular cultures. As the critic Stanley…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/popular-culture-as-a-whole-is-popular-but-in-today-s-fragmented/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [“The populations of wealthy democratic societies expect to have total choice over their satellite TV packages, yet think it perfectly normal to allow the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/the-populations-of-wealthy-democratic-societies-expect-to-have-total/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [For Al Gore and Paul Ehrlich and Co., whatever the problem, the solution is always the same. Whether it's global cooling, global warming, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/for-al-gore-and-paul-ehrlich-and-co-whatever-the-problem-the-solution/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [Sadly, a U.S. invasion of Iraq 'would threaten the whole stability of the Middle East' - or so Amr Moussa, secretary-general of the Arab…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/sadly-a-u-s-invasion-of-iraq-would-threaten-the-whole-stability-of/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [I don't think Donald Trump is a conservative. I think his line on China for example, that he's going to talk tough to China.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/i-don-t-think-donald-trump-is-a-conservative-i-think-his-line-on/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [A big chunk of Western civilization, consciously or otherwise, has given the impression that it's dying to surrender to somebody, anybody. Reasonably enough, Islam…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/a-big-chunk-of-western-civilization-consciously-or-otherwise-has/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [“But that's Islam in the third millennium: they want the certainties of seventh-century society with the conveniences of the twenty-first century.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/but-that-s-islam-in-the-third-millennium-they-want-the-certainties-of/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [The progressive Left can be in favor of Big Government or population control but not both. The mutual incompatibility is about to plunge Europe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/the-progressive-left-can-be-in-favor-of-big-government-or-population/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [“But in practice the lack of belief in divine presence is just as likely to lead to humans avoiding responsibility: if there's nothing other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/but-in-practice-the-lack-of-belief-in-divine-presence-is-just-as/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [No family of an American hostage has ever been prosecuted for paying a ransom for the return of their loved ones. The last thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/no-family-of-an-american-hostage-has-ever-been-prosecuted-for-paying/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [“America is now a land that rewards failure--at the personal, corporate and state level. If you reward it, you get more of it. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/america-is-now-a-land-that-rewards-failure-at-the-personal-corporate/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [Obama's Nobel Peace Prize is an exquisite act of condescension from Norwegians, a dog biscuit and a pat on the head to the American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/obama-s-nobel-peace-prize-is-an-exquisite-act-of-condescension-from/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [“You cannot wage a sustained ideological assault on your own civilization without grave consequences. We are approaching the end of the Anglo-American moment, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/you-cannot-wage-a-sustained-ideological-assault-on-your-own/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [“Almost by definition, secularism cannot be a future: it's a present-tense culture that over time disconnects a society from cross-generational purpose. Which is why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/almost-by-definition-secularism-cannot-be-a-future-it-s-a-present/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [Her Majesty's government is engaging not merely in Orwellian Newspeak but in self-defeating Orwellian Newspeak. The broader message it sends is that ours is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/her-majesty-s-government-is-engaging-not-merely-in-orwellian-newspeak/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) [Explore all 204 Mark Steyn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) ## More Intolerance quotes > [Dialogue and education for peace can help free our hearts from the impulse toward intolerance and the rejection of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisaku-ikeda/dialogue-and-education-for-peace-can-help-free-our-hearts-from-the/) [Daisaku Ikeda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisaku-ikeda/) > [I resolutely believe that respect for diversity is a fundamental pillar in the eradication of racism, xenophobia and intolerance. There is no excuse for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rigoberta-menchu/i-resolutely-believe-that-respect-for-diversity-is-a-fundamental/) [Rigoberta Menchu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rigoberta-menchu/) > [the Republicans love to say that the Democratic Party is ruled by 'special interests.' But when pressed to name these 'special interests,' the usual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-ferraro/the-republicans-love-to-say-that-the-democratic-party-is-ruled-by/) [Geraldine Ferraro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-ferraro/) > [I have tried to defend what is most precious to our American society, a society that is now at war against the forces of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demian-bichir/i-have-tried-to-defend-what-is-most-precious-to-our-american-society/) [Demian Bichir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demian-bichir/) > [Peace cannot be built on exclusivism, absolutism, and intolerance. But neither can it be built on vague liberal slogans and pious programs gestated in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/peace-cannot-be-built-on-exclusivism-absolutism-and-intolerance-but/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Too small is our world to allow discrimination, bigotry and intolerance to thrive in any corner of it, let alone in the United States…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliot-engel/too-small-is-our-world-to-allow-discrimination-bigotry-and/) [Eliot Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliot-engel/) > [House music is about love, and lots of hip hop is about hate and intolerance, so in that respect, it's not good at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lowe/house-music-is-about-love-and-lots-of-hip-hop-is-about-hate-and/) [Chris Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lowe/) > [“Intolerance is a failed master of non-existent reason.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-kristian-goldmund-aumann/intolerance-is-a-failed-master-of-non-existent-reason/) sir kristian goldmund aumann > [Pat Buchanan... was fired by MSNBC for doing nothing more than voicing his rock-solid conservative thoughts on the otherwise failing network... The real message…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/pat-buchanan-was-fired-by-msnbc-for-doing-nothing-more-than-voicing/) [Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/) > [I believe in a wall between church and state so high that no one can climb over it. When religion controls government, political liberty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ervin/i-believe-in-a-wall-between-church-and-state-so-high-that-no-one-can/) [Sam Ervin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ervin/) > [Profiling any segment of society and viewing them as a threat is a sign of intolerance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fethullah-gulen/profiling-any-segment-of-society-and-viewing-them-as-a-threat-is-a/) [Fethullah Gulen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fethullah-gulen/) > [I want you to just let a wave of intolerance wash over you. I want you to let a wave of hatred wash over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randall-terry/i-want-you-to-just-let-a-wave-of-intolerance-wash-over-you-i-want-you/) [Randall Terry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randall-terry/) > [“When you are alone in the wilderness, opinions or beliefs of any kind are dropped as the absurd accoutrements they are. But after being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ligotti/when-you-are-alone-in-the-wilderness-opinions-or-beliefs-of-any-kind/) [Thomas Ligotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ligotti/) > [Intolerance has always been one of the cornerstones of Christianity - the glorious heritage of the Inquisition. It's no coincidence that most of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madalyn-murray-o-hair/intolerance-has-always-been-one-of-the-cornerstones-of-christianity/) [Madalyn Murray O'Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madalyn-murray-o-hair/) > [Hatred, intolerance, poor hygienic conditions and violence all have roots in illiteracy, so we're trying to do something to help the poor and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdul-qadeer-khan/hatred-intolerance-poor-hygienic-conditions-and-violence-all-have/) [Abdul Qadeer Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdul-qadeer-khan/) [Browse all 572 Intolerance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intolerance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Multicultural societies are so invested in “tolerance” that they’ll tolerate the explicitly intolerant (and avowedly unicultural) before they’ll tolerate anyone pointing out that intolerance.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mark Steyn" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/multicultural-societies-are-so-invested-in-tolerance-that-they-ll/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Intolerance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/multicultural-societies-are-so-invested-in-tolerance-that-they-ll/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc6/mark-steyn-1844_intolerance_multicultural-societies-are-so-invested_1479999.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc6/mark-steyn-1844_intolerance_multicultural-societies-are-so-invested_1479999.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc6/mark-steyn-1844_intolerance_multicultural-societies-are-so-invested_1479999.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Multicultural societies are so invested in “tolerance” that they’ll tolerate the explicitly intolerant (and…” — Mark Steyn", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Mark Steyn", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Multicultural societies are so invested in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/multicultural-societies-are-so-invested-in-tolerance-that-they-ll/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/multicultural-societies-are-so-invested-in-tolerance-that-they-ll/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```