But we know that freedom cannot be served by the devices of the tyrant. As it is an ancient truth that freedom cannot be legislated into existence, so it is no less obvious that freedom cannot be censored into existence. And any who act as if freedoms defenses are to be found in suppression and suspicion and fear confess a doctrine that is alien to America.
Interpretation
Freedom cannot be achieved through oppression or fear; it must be genuinely upheld and protected.
In this quote, Dwight D. Eisenhower emphasizes that true freedom cannot be maintained through tyrannical methods or fear tactics. He asserts that legislation and censorship cannot create genuine freedom; instead, a respectful and open society is required to protect individual liberties. Eisenhower warns against those who believe that suppressing freedoms and fostering suspicion is the way to maintain security, indicating that such beliefs are contrary to the principles of America.
In practice
During a speech on civil rights, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of protecting freedoms.
If a man's associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.
The libraries of America are and must ever remain the home of free and inquiring minds. To them, our citizens-of all ages and races, of all creeds and persuasions-must be able to turn with clear confidence that there they can freely seek the whole truth, unvarnished by fashion and uncompromised by expediency.
You don't lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.
When pressure mounts and strain increases everyone begins to show the weaknesses in his makeup. It is up to the Commander to conceal his: above all to conceal doubt, fear, and distrust.
Some years ago I became president of Columbia University and learned within 24 hours to be ready to speak at the drop of a hat, and I learned something more, the trustees were expected to be ready to speak at the passing of the hat.
I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.
There is nothing little in God; His mercy is like Himself-it is infinite. You cannot measure it. His mercy is so great that it forgives great sins to great sinners, after great lengths of time, and then gives great favours and great privileges, and raises us up to great enjoyments in the great heaven of the great God.
It is an absurdity to believe that the Deity has human passions, and one of the lowest of human passions, a restless appetite for applause
When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.
[Slavery] is a weed that grows in every soil.
Show me a man who lives alone and has a perpetually clean kitchen, and 8 times out of 9 I'll show you a man with detestable spiritual qualities.
The kingly office is entitled to no respect. It was originally procured by the highwayman's methods. It remains a perpetuated crime, can never be anything but the symbol of a crime. It is no more entitled to respect than is the flag of a pirate.
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