Life Quote by Roger Scruton
““Locke’s essay on Toleration of 1689 argued for the toleration of opinions and ways of life with which you do not agree, as one of the virtues of a liberal society. But many who call themselves liberal today seem to have little understanding of what this virtue really is. Toleration does not mean renouncing all opinions that others might find offensive. It does not mean an easy-going relativism or a belief that ‘anything goes’. On the contrary, it means accepting the right of others to think and act in ways of which you disapprove. It means being prepared to protect people from negative discrimination even when you hate what they think and what they feel. But””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Politics of Toleration” by Roger Scruton, 1998
True toleration means protecting others’ rights to think and act differently, not abandoning all standards or becoming relativistic.
In simple terms: Protect differing views while upholding values.
Key Takeaway
Defend liberty without compromising principles.
Themes
politics
liberalism
ethics
rights
Mood
serious
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- public policy
- social discourse
- education
Key Concepts
toleration
pluralism
Questions to Reflect On
- When should tolerance be limited?
- How to protect dissent without endorsing harm?
A Different Perspective
Balancing tolerance with moral limits is complex.
