--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I soon learned that thought was not free…" description: "\"“I soon learned that thought was not free in North Korea. A free thought could get you killed if it slipped out.”\" — Masaji Ishikawa" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/masaji-ishikawa-5495_free-thought_i-soon-learned-that-thought-was-not-free_2482123.jpg" --- # I soon learned that thought was not free in North Korea. A… ![“I soon learned that thought was not free in North Korea. A free thought could get you killed if it slipped out.” quote by Masaji Ishikawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/masaji-ishikawa-5495_free-thought_i-soon-learned-that-thought-was-not-free_2482123.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/masaji-ishikawa-5495_free-thought_i-soon-learned-that-thought-was-not-free_2482123.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/masaji-ishikawa-5495_free-thought_i-soon-learned-that-thought-was-not-free_2482123.jpg) > ““I soon learned that thought was not free in North Korea. A free thought could get you killed if it slipped out.”” [Masaji Ishikawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaji-ishikawa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. In North Korea, expressing independent thoughts is dangerous, making true freedom of thought a life‑threatening risk. **In simple terms:** Free thought can be deadly there. Key Takeaway Speak wisely, protect yourself. Themes censorship authoritarianism human rights Mood fearful serious Type reflective political When to use this quote - political dissent - personal safety - exile decisions Key Concepts thought control state oppression Questions to Reflect On - How does fear affect personal expression? - What can outsiders do to support free thought? A Different Perspective Risk of repression may silence voices, limiting change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Free thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-thought/) [Korea Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/korea-free-801824/) [Learned Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learned-thought-874407/) [North korea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/north-korea/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) [Thought Killed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-killed-874406/) ## Related quotes > [“I soon learned that thought was not free in North Korea. A free thought could get you killed if it slipped out. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaji-ishikawa/i-soon-learned-that-thought-was-not-free-in-north-korea-a-free/) [Masaji Ishikawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaji-ishikawa/) > [“free thought could get you killed if it slipped out. 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About…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaji-ishikawa/much-later-i-checked-out-the-ten-commandments-of-the-abrahamic/) [Masaji Ishikawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaji-ishikawa/) [Explore all 100 Masaji Ishikawa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaji-ishikawa/) ## More Free thought quotes > [“Bertrand Russell:   The expression “free thought” is often used as if it meant merely opposition to the prevailing orthodoxy. But this is only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-m-s-pearce/bertrand-russell-the-expression-free-thought-is-often-used-as-if-it/) [Jonathan M.S. Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-m-s-pearce/) > [“Try a little experiment. 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One is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/freedom-is-not-an-idea-a-philosophy-written-about-freedom-is-not/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [I was ready to talk about... and I'm ready to die on the hills of due process, individualism, and free thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cain/i-was-ready-to-talk-about-and-i-m-ready-to-die-on-the-hills-of-due/) [Will Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cain/) > [Our thoughts are free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/our-thoughts-are-free/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [It should seem that Negroes, of all Americans, would be found in the Free-thought fold, since they have suffered more than any other class…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-harrison/it-should-seem-that-negroes-of-all-americans-would-be-found-in-the/) [Hubert Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-harrison/) > [“It is clear that thought is not free if the profession of certain opinions makes it impossible to earn a living. 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