Code Quote by Richard Stallman
“When I launched the development of the GNU system, I explicitly said the purpose of developing this system is so we can use our computers and have freedom, thus if you use some other free system instead but you have freedom, then it's a success. It's not popularity for our code but it's success for our goal.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: GNU Launch Announcement, Richard Stallman, 1985
The goal of GNU is to ensure computer freedom; success is measured by freedom, not popularity.
In simple terms: Freedom over software is the true success metric.
Key Takeaway
Promote software freedom.
Themes
freedom
open source
software ethics
Mood
inspirational
determined
Type
ethical
technological
When to use this quote
- software development
- policy advocacy
- education
- tech entrepreneurship
Key Concepts
digital rights
community collaboration
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we make free software more user‑friendly?
- What incentives encourage developers to join free projects?
A Different Perspective
Adoption may be hindered by usability or support issues.
![“I kind of pride myself on coming onto things that are well-oiled machines and finding a way to bring what I bring and fit in, and raise it to another level if I can. And this [Code Black ] has been another one of those really fun success stories, much like Parks And Recreation, although obviously…” quote by Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ea3/rob-lowe-855_black_i-kind-of-pride-myself-on-coming-onto-th_6557.jpg)
![“[T]he tax code has been piling up, year after year, a symbol of everything gone wrong in America, of arrogant rulers and lost freedom, just waiting for us to pick the whole thing up and heave it away. It has to happen. Free people can put up with such laws only for so long.” quote by Dick Armey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aed/dick-armey-16265_america_t-he-tax-code-has-been-piling-up-year-af_12886.jpg)