For the average American, freedom of speech is simply the freedom to repeat what everyone else is saying and no more.
Interpretation
This quote critiques the concept of freedom of speech, suggesting that it often leads to conformity rather than genuine expression.
Gore Vidal's statement reflects a cynical view of freedom of speech, implying that many people use it not to express original thoughts or ideas, but rather to echo the opinions and sentiments that are widely accepted in society. This observation serves as a commentary on the societal pressures that can stifle individuality and critical thinking, suggesting that true freedom of expression is rare and often overshadowed by the desire to fit in.
In practice
This quote can be used in a debate about censorship and the value of independent thought.
We must declare ourselves, become known; allow the world to discover this subterranean life of ours which connects kings and farm boys, artists and clerks. Let them see that the important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
American writers want to be not good but great; and so are neither.
Writing fiction has become a priestly business in countries that have lost their faith.
The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
Ayn Rand's 'philosophy' is nearly perfect in its immorality, which makes the size of her audience all the more ominous and symptomatic as we enter a curious new phase in our society.... To justify and extol human greed and egotism is to my mind not only immoral, but evil.
Envy is the central fact of American life.
And I smiled to think God's greatness flowed around our incompleteness; Round our restlessness, His rest.
A gentleman is someone who does not what he wants to do, but what he should do.
Moreover, the attitude that one ought to believe such and such a proposition, independently of the question whether there is evidence in its favor, is an attitude which produces hostility to evidence and causes us to close our minds to every fact that does not suit our prejudices.
If you're treated a certain way you become a certain kind of person. If certain things are described to you as being real they're real for you whether they're real or not.
How could I bear a crown of gold when the Lord bears a crown of thorns? And bears it for me!
In America, as elsewhere, the general irritability level keeps rising.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.