Accomplishment Quote by Stephen Jay Gould
“If any issue should unite liberals and conservatives, anyone who cares about the integrity of human achievement or respect for human accomplishment, may we not all pledge to avoid the silly censoring that can lead to a codification of Orwell's Newspeak? Consider John Milton's reasons for why good arguments are often lost: 'For want of words, no doubt, or lack of breath!'”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Limits of Knowledge, 1998
Censorship harms discourse; we must protect free expression to preserve truth.
In simple terms: Censorship blocks truth; protect free speech.
Key Takeaway
Defend open dialogue.
Themes
politics
free speech
censorship
Mood
thought‑provoking
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- public policy
- media criticism
Key Concepts
Orwellian language
miltonic argument
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies limit harmful speech without censoring ideas?
- What role does precise language play in public discourse?
A Different Perspective
Balancing speech protection with harmful content is complex.
