Around the world Quote by Steven Lee Myers
““I can distinctly hear the beatings of the wings of the angel of death,” it went, in improbably elegant English, which Litvinenko had barely learned to speak during his years in exile. “I may be able to give him the slip, but I have to say my legs do not run as fast as I would like. I think, therefore, that this may be the time to say one or two things to the person responsible for my illness. You may succeed in silencing men, but that silence comes at a price. You have shown yourself to be as barbaric and ruthless as your most hostile critics have claimed. You have shown you have no respect for life, liberty or any civilized value. You have shown yourself to be unworthy of your office, to be unworthy of the trust of civilized men and women. You may succeed in silencing one man, but a howl of protest from around the world will reverberate, Mr. Putin, in your ears for the rest of your life.””
About This Quote
Source Article: New York Times, 2022
A powerful condemnation of authoritarian repression, urging global accountability and moral resistance.
In simple terms: Speak out against tyranny despite personal risk.
Key Takeaway
Stand against oppression, even when silenced.
Themes
politics
human rights
justice
freedom
accountability
Mood
defiant
urgent
Type
political
inspirational
When to use this quote
- activism
- policy advocacy
- journalistic reporting
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
moral courage
global protest
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do individuals have to confront injustice?
- How can international communities effectively respond to human rights abuses?
A Different Perspective
Risk of inciting further retaliation against dissenters.
