Communication Quote by Neal A. Maxwell
““Permissiveness cannot sustain true liberty for long. . . . In Sodom they probably had absolute free speech, but nothing worth saying! On the other hand, an otherwise permissive society, which tolerates almost everything, usually will not tolerate speech that challenges its iniquity. Evil is always intolerantly preoccupied with its own perpetuation.””
About This Quote
Source Book: "The Power of Freedom", 2010, Neal A. Maxwell
Unlimited permissiveness erodes true liberty; societies must limit harmful speech to protect genuine freedom.
In simple terms: Too much freedom can destroy freedom.
Key Takeaway
Balance liberty with responsibility.
Themes
freedom
speech
responsibility
societal health
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- public discourse
- media regulation
- education
- community standards
Key Concepts
political theory
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What speech should be limited to protect liberty?
- How do we define “worth saying”?
A Different Perspective
Absolute tolerance can enable harmful ideas to dominate.
