Belief Quote by Milan Kundera
“Totalitarianism is neither left nor right, and within its empire both will perish. I was never a believer, but after seeing Czech Catholics persecuted during the Stalinist terror, I felt the deepest solidarity with them. What separated us, the belief in God, was secondary to what united us. In Prague, they hanged the Socialists and the priests. Thus a fraternity of the hanged was born.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, 1979
Totalitarian regimes destroy all dissent, regardless of political label, uniting victims across ideologies.
In simple terms: Oppressive systems kill both left and right, creating shared suffering.
Key Takeaway
Recognize common humanity beyond politics.
Themes
political oppression
solidarity
ideology
martyrdom
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- human rights advocacy
- interfaith dialogue
- political education
Key Concepts
totalitarianism
human rights
collective identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we build solidarity across ideological divides?
- What lessons can history teach about resisting oppression?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook non‑political causes of suffering.
