--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The worst way to defend our freedom is to…" description: "\"The worst way to defend our freedom is to let our leaders start taking away our freedoms! It is exactly during times like these [a national crisis] tha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/michael-moore-884_citizenry_the-worst-way-to-defend-our-freedom-is-t_1366992.png" --- # The worst way to defend our freedom is to let our leaders… ![“The worst way to defend our freedom is to let our leaders start taking away our freedoms! It is exactly during times like these [a national crisis] that we need more freedom of speech, a strong and critical press, and a citizenry that is not afraid to stand up and say that the emperor has no…” quote by Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/michael-moore-884_citizenry_the-worst-way-to-defend-our-freedom-is-t_1366992.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/michael-moore-884_citizenry_the-worst-way-to-defend-our-freedom-is-t_1366992.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/michael-moore-884_citizenry_the-worst-way-to-defend-our-freedom-is-t_1366992.png) > “The worst way to defend our freedom is to let our leaders start taking away our freedoms! It is exactly during times like these \[a national crisis\] that we need more freedom of speech, a strong and critical press, and a citizenry that is not afraid to stand up and say that the emperor has no clothes.” [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote warns that sacrificing freedoms to protect them is paradoxical; true liberty requires defending free speech, a free press, and civic courage, especially during crises. **In simple terms:** Defending freedom by restricting it is contradictory; we need open speech. Key Takeaway Defend freedoms even when it's uncomfortable. Themes freedom speech press civic duty authoritarianism Mood urgent defiant Type political activist When to use this quote - political protests - media criticism - public debates - authoritarian policies Key Concepts political theory civil rights media ethics Questions to Reflect On - What freedoms are you willing to risk? - How can citizens stay vigilant? A Different Perspective Some claim security must outweigh liberty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clothes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clothes/) [Crisis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crisis/) [Emperor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emperor/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Freedom of speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-of-speech/) [Freedoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedoms/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) [Times like these](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/times-like-these/) ## Related quotes > [Our job isn't to defend freedom of speech, but without freedom of speech we are dead. We can't live in a country without freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charb/our-job-isn-t-to-defend-freedom-of-speech-but-without-freedom-of/) [Charb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charb/) > [But I - and I just think it's very - one of the problems of defending the extraordinary principle of freedom of speech is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/but-i-and-i-just-think-it-s-very-one-of-the-problems-of-defending-the/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [Openness, transparency - these are among the few weapons the citizenry has to protect itself from the powerful and the corrupt... and that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/openness-transparency-these-are-among-the-few-weapons-the-citizenry/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [Worry is wasteful and useless in times like these.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/worry-is-wasteful-and-useless-in-times-like-these/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [When art seems to be empty of meaning, as no doubt some of the abstract painting of our own day actually does seem, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/when-art-seems-to-be-empty-of-meaning-as-no-doubt-some-of-the/) [Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/) > [We are living in a time of trouble and bewilderment, in a time when none of us can foresee or foretell the future. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-binyon/we-are-living-in-a-time-of-trouble-and-bewilderment-in-a-time-when-2/) [Laurence Binyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-binyon/) > [All one can do for one's character in times like these, is to prove that one does not belong to these times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-gottfried-seume/all-one-can-do-for-one-s-character-in-times-like-these-is-to-prove/) Johann Gottfried Seume > [If I could tell the world just one thing, it would be that we are all ok. And not to worry because worry is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/if-i-could-tell-the-world-just-one-thing-it-would-be-that-we-are-all/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [It is hard to be modest at times like these so I won't even try...you are all shite!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-gallagher/it-is-hard-to-be-modest-at-times-like-these-so-i-won-t-even-try-you/) [Noel Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-gallagher/) > [I believe God loves the world through us - through you and through me. We use Mother Teresa's name; it is only a name,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/i-believe-god-loves-the-world-through-us-through-you-and-through-me/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [During times like these, the wise are influential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/during-times-like-these-the-wise-are-influential/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [I am heartbroken by the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in my home state. Like so many Americans I am watching the news reports…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-mcgraw/i-am-heartbroken-by-the-devastation-caused-by-hurricane-katrina-in-my/) [Tim McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-mcgraw/) > [I yearn to live and love and burn, and yet so much of my time is spent faking and forgetting, faking and forgetting I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-foreman/i-yearn-to-live-and-love-and-burn-and-yet-so-much-of-my-time-is-spent/) [Jon Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-foreman/) > [In a virtuous government, and more especially in times like these, public offices are what they should be - burdens to those appointed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/in-a-virtuous-government-and-more-especially-in-times-like-these/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [In times like these, we need each other. We must bond together in spirit and in service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jackson/in-times-like-these-we-need-each-other-we-must-bond-together-in/) [Michael Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jackson/) ## More by Michael Moore > [If you reduce the guns and the ammo, you'll reduce the murders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/if-you-reduce-the-guns-and-the-ammo-you-ll-reduce-the-murders/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [You share things with people and I think information, and art, and ideas should be shared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/you-share-things-with-people-and-i-think-information-and-art-and/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [The purpose of art actually is, in many cases, to make you feel quite uncomfortable. Or at least to go to that place that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/the-purpose-of-art-actually-is-in-many-cases-to-make-you-feel-quite/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [Capitalism is against the things that we say we believe in - democracy, freedom of choice, fairness. It's not about any of those things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/capitalism-is-against-the-things-that-we-say-we-believe-in-democracy/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [We live in a time when fictitious election results elect a fictitious president. We live in a time where we have a man sending…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/we-live-in-a-time-when-fictitious-election-results-elect-a-fictitious/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [A government run by billionaires for billionaires is an affront to freedom and morality and humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/a-government-run-by-billionaires-for-billionaires-is-an-affront-to/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [There Is No Terrorist Threat In This Country. This Is A Lie. This Is The Biggest Lie We've Been Told.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/there-is-no-terrorist-threat-in-this-country-this-is-a-lie-this-is/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [The real problem with the IRS is that they let General Electric not pay any taxes -- and 50 other corporations -- that's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/the-real-problem-with-the-irs-is-that-they-let-general-electric-not/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [Hope for the best is what we do, right from the moment we're born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/hope-for-the-best-is-what-we-do-right-from-the-moment-we-re-born/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [I get called 'controversial' all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/i-get-called-controversial-all-the-time/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [This book, 'Stupid White Men,' has sold now over four million copies worldwide. Probably about half of that may be in the U.S. and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/this-book-stupid-white-men-has-sold-now-over-four-million-copies/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [There's nothing pure about capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/there-s-nothing-pure-about-capitalism/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [If we say, 'The government sucks,' we're kind of saying that we suck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/if-we-say-the-government-sucks-we-re-kind-of-saying-that-we-suck/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [Nobody was talking about healthcare until 'Sicko' came out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/nobody-was-talking-about-healthcare-until-sicko-came-out/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [I have enormous respect for anyone who would offer to sacrifice their life to defend my right to live. Is there any greater gift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/i-have-enormous-respect-for-anyone-who-would-offer-to-sacrifice-their/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) [Explore all 339 Michael Moore quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) ## More Citizenry quotes > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [You cannot have 300-some million Americans - and really, right, the global citizenry be at risk of having their phone conversations intercepted with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/you-cannot-have-300-some-million-americans-and-really-right-the/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [Politics is about the participation and engagement of the wider citizenry - to miss that point would doom us to irrelevance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-blunkett/politics-is-about-the-participation-and-engagement-of-the-wider/) [David Blunkett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-blunkett/) > [One reason the United States finds itself at the edge of a foreign policy disaster is its underinformed citizenry, a key weakness in democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-halper/one-reason-the-united-states-finds-itself-at-the-edge-of-a-foreign/) Stefan Halper > [Higher education is confronting challenges, like the economy is, about the need for a higher number of more adequately trained, more highly educated citizenry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-spellings/higher-education-is-confronting-challenges-like-the-economy-is-about/) [Margaret Spellings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-spellings/) > [Democracy is not about trust; it is about distrust. It is about accountability, exposure, open debate, critical challenge, and popular input and feedback from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-parenti/democracy-is-not-about-trust-it-is-about-distrust-it-is-about/) [Michael Parenti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-parenti/) > [I have spoken about what we can do as citizens, what we can do as a responsive citizenry, and this is where we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-tempest-williams/i-have-spoken-about-what-we-can-do-as-citizens-what-we-can-do-as-a/) [Terry Tempest Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-tempest-williams/) > [A popular feel for scientific endeavors should, if possible, be restored given the needs of the twenty-first century. This does not mean that every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-isaacson/a-popular-feel-for-scientific-endeavors-should-if-possible-be/) [Walter Isaacson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-isaacson/) > [The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley-jr/the-best-defense-against-usurpatory-government-is-an-assertive/) [William F. Buckley, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-buckley-jr/) > [And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind is closed, the leader…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-caesar/and-when-the-drums-of-war-have-reached-a-fever-pitch-and-the-blood/) [Julius Caesar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-caesar/) > [I think it's something that the citizenry needs to be vigilant about - participating in democracy, and that includes issues like what's going on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-damon/i-think-it-s-something-that-the-citizenry-needs-to-be-vigilant-about/) [Matt Damon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-damon/) > [Today's political leaders demonstrate their low opinion of the public with every social law they pass. They believe that, if given the right to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/today-s-political-leaders-demonstrate-their-low-opinion-of-the-public/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [“When justice is prioritized by any leader at any level then to give justice to the citizenry will always be at the back of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/when-justice-is-prioritized-by-any-leader-at-any-level-then-to-give/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [I feel that the Second Amendment is the right to keep and bear arms for our citizenry. This not for someone who's in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharron-angle/i-feel-that-the-second-amendment-is-the-right-to-keep-and-bear-arms/) [Sharron Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharron-angle/) > [This has been the new normal since September 11. Everyone knows, but nobody says, that if something happens again, the elite consensus in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-pierce/this-has-been-the-new-normal-since-september-11-everyone-knows-but/) [Charlie Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-pierce/) Browse all 138 Citizenry quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The worst way to defend our freedom is to let our leaders start taking away our freedoms! It is exactly during times like these [a national crisis] that we need more freedom of speech, a strong and critical press, and a citizenry that is not afraid to stand up and say that the emperor has no clothes.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael Moore" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/the-worst-way-to-defend-our-freedom-is-to-let-our-leaders-start/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Citizenry" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/the-worst-way-to-defend-our-freedom-is-to-let-our-leaders-start/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/michael-moore-884_citizenry_the-worst-way-to-defend-our-freedom-is-t_1366992.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/michael-moore-884_citizenry_the-worst-way-to-defend-our-freedom-is-t_1366992.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d15/michael-moore-884_citizenry_the-worst-way-to-defend-our-freedom-is-t_1366992.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The worst way to defend our freedom is to let our leaders start taking away our freedoms! It is exactly…” — Michael Moore", "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": "Michael Moore", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The worst way to defend our...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/the-worst-way-to-defend-our-freedom-is-to-let-our-leaders-start/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/the-worst-way-to-defend-our-freedom-is-to-let-our-leaders-start/#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 } } ] } ```