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.
Interpretation
Libraries serve as essential spaces for individuals to explore knowledge freely and without bias.
This quote by Dwight D. Eisenhower emphasizes the fundamental role of libraries as sanctuaries for free thought, allowing individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue knowledge and discover unfiltered truths. It underscores the idea that libraries must remain independent from societal pressures and trends, providing a trustworthy space for inquiry and learning for all members of society.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of education, I might include this quote to highlight the role of libraries.
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.
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.
I deplore the need or the use of troops anywhere to get American citizens to obey the orders of constituted courts.
Whatever other children learn in a year, let Bahá’í children learn in a month. The heart of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá longeth, in its love, to find that Bahá’í young people, each and all, are known throughout the world for their intellectual attainments. There is no question but that they will exert all their efforts, their energies, their sense of pride, to acquire the sciences and arts.
See that your children be taught, not only the labors of the earth, but the loveliness of it.
We have a locale-based education system; we have increasing economic segregation. We clearly need a larger federal program to try to help disadvantaged districts.
In college, I was an education major and qualified for several jobs. But the fame that came with the Olympic medals was too threatening to many people.
When you have mastered numbers, you will in fact no longer be reading numbers, any more than you read words when reading books You will be reading meanings.
A lot of the fun lies in trying to penetrate the mystery; and this is best done by saying over the lines to yourself again and again, till they pass through the stage of sounding like nonsense, and finally return to a full sense that had at first escaped notice.
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