I think my stance and my way of life is my most important art.
Ai WeiweiRead
We should also leave behind discrimination, because it is narrow-minded and ignorant, denies contact and warmth; and corrodes mankind's belief that we can better ourselves. The only way to avoid misunderstanding, war and bloodshed is to defend freedom of expression and to communicate with sincerity, concern and good intentions.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of freedom of expression and sincere communication to overcome discrimination and misunderstanding.
Ai Weiwei's quote highlights the detrimental effects of discrimination, portraying it as a product of narrow-mindedness and ignorance. He advocates for the necessity of sincere communication and freedom of expression as fundamental tools in fostering understanding and progress among humanity, suggesting that these values can help mitigate the potential for conflict and promote a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Themes
DiscriminationFreedomCommunicationSincerityIgnorance
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about civil rights to support the arguments for equality.
More from Ai Weiwei
All quotes →Self-censorship is insulting to the self. Timidity is a hopeless way forward.
Ai WeiweiRead
If there is no free speech, every single life has lived in vain
Ai WeiweiRead
Art is always about overcoming obstacles between the inner condition and the skill for expression.
Ai WeiweiRead
As a human being, member of society, you must clearly state your mind. It's a responsibility. It is the way you identify yourself otherwise you don't know who you are and why you are here.
Ai WeiweiRead
I am very much interested in the so-called useless object. I mean, it takes perfect craftsmanship, beautiful material carefully measured and crafted, but at the same time it’s really useless.
Ai WeiweiRead
Similar quotes
Society is commonly too cheap. We meet at very short intervals, not having had time to acquire any new value for each other. We meet at meals three times a day, and give each other a new taste of that old musty cheese that we are.
Henry David ThoreauRead
So long as they (the Proles) continued to work and breed, their other activities were without importance. Left to themselves, like cattle turned loose upon the plains of Argentina, they had reverted to a style of life that appeared to be natural to them, a sort of ancestral pattern...Heavy physical work, the care of home and children, petty quarrels with neighbors, films, football, beer and above all, gambling filled up the horizon of their minds. To keep them in control was not difficult.
George OrwellRead
Since you know me and my destiny only too well, you probably also know what attracts me to all unfortunate people.
Johann Wolfgang Von GoetheRead
Out of war nations acquire additional territory, if they are victorious. They just take it. This newly acquired territory promptly is exploited by the few - the selfsame few who wrung dollars out of blood in the war. The general public shoulders the bill.
Smedley ButlerRead
Unnecessary possessions are unnecessary burdens. If you have them, you have to take care of them! There is great freedom in simplicity of living. It is those who have enough but not too much who are the happiest.
Peace PilgrimRead
There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness.
Dalai LamaRead