--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the paradoxes of liberal societies…" description: "\"One of the paradoxes of liberal societies arises from the commitment to tolerance. A society committed to respecting the viewpoints and customs of dive..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5b/martha-minow-28967_agree_one-of-the-paradoxes-of-liberal-societie_1676996.jpg" --- # One of the paradoxes of liberal societies arises from the… ![“One of the paradoxes of liberal societies arises from the commitment to tolerance. A society committed to respecting the viewpoints and customs of diverse people within a pluralistic society inevitably encounters this challenge: will you tolerate those who themselves do not agree to respect the…” quote by Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5b/martha-minow-28967_agree_one-of-the-paradoxes-of-liberal-societie_1676996.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5b/martha-minow-28967_agree_one-of-the-paradoxes-of-liberal-societie_1676996.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5b/martha-minow-28967_agree_one-of-the-paradoxes-of-liberal-societie_1676996.jpg) > “One of the paradoxes of liberal societies arises from the commitment to tolerance. A society committed to respecting the viewpoints and customs of diverse people within a pluralistic society inevitably encounters this challenge: will you tolerate those who themselves do not agree to respect the viewpoints or customs of others? Paradoxically, the liberal commitment to tolerance requires, at some point, intolerance for those who would reject that very commitment.” [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Liberal societies must balance openness with protecting that openness from those who would undermine it. **In simple terms:** Tolerance can require limiting intolerance. Key Takeaway Recognize when to set boundaries. Themes tolerance liberalism pluralism Mood thoughtful concerned Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - public policy - education - community dialogue - online platforms Key Concepts political philosophy social contract Questions to Reflect On - When does protecting tolerance become oppression? - How can societies enforce limits without becoming authoritarian? A Different Perspective Excessive intolerance can erode democratic values. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Commitment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commitment/) [Customs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customs/) [Encounters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/encounters/) [Intolerance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intolerance/) [Paradox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradox/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Tolerance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tolerance/) [Viewpoints](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/viewpoints/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes true tolerance requires an extraordinary strength, which we are often too weak to exercise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fausto-cercignani/sometimes-true-tolerance-requires-an-extraordinary-strength-which-we/) [Fausto Cercignani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fausto-cercignani/) > [No one can learn tolerance in a climate of irresponsibility, which does not produce democracy. The act of tolerating requires a climate in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-freire/no-one-can-learn-tolerance-in-a-climate-of-irresponsibility-which/) [Paulo Freire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-freire/) > [Self-righteousness and presumptive moral judgments pose a great danger in the political arena. To become convinced of the divine infallibility of one's personal predilections…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-wright/self-righteousness-and-presumptive-moral-judgments-pose-a-great/) Jim Wright > [England has been praised for turning out intelligent, adult pictures whereas Hollywood has been severely censured for turning out junk. I don't think criticism…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-garfield/england-has-been-praised-for-turning-out-intelligent-adult-pictures/) John Garfield > [Veganism isn’t just a strict vegetarian diet; it is a complete philosophical viewpoint. 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Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guillermo-e-brown/) > [“However much we champion freedom of thought, we actually spend much of our time censoring input. 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Even the omniscient viewpoint quails.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vernor-vinge/how-to-explain-how-to-describe-even-the-omniscient-viewpoint-quails/) [Vernor Vinge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vernor-vinge/) > [To have the detached eye of the occultist, to look outward, to not be so self-reflective and to learn to step through the various…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/to-have-the-detached-eye-of-the-occultist-to-look-outward-to-not-be/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Public and private funds have been thrown around like confetti at a country fair, to close up and destroy clinics, hospitals, and scientific research…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-fitzgerald/public-and-private-funds-have-been-thrown-around-like-confetti-at-a/) Benedict Fitzgerald ## More by Martha Minow > [I see, from my vantage point as the vice-chair of the Legal Services Corporation, a serious crisis going on in this country. Eighty percent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/i-see-from-my-vantage-point-as-the-vice-chair-of-the-legal-services/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [That's a really sad moment. When people in a democracy are afraid of having the conversation, because it might actually lead to a conclusion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-minow/that-s-a-really-sad-moment-when-people-in-a-democracy-are-afraid-of/) [Martha Minow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-minow/) > [In the era of modern technology, people could just vote on their phones for who they want to be judges. 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