You don't tell people who disagree with you they'd be better off somewhere else. And you don't reduce them to stereotypes; you address them as fully formed people worthy of respect. You try to persuade them.
Peggy NoonanRead
We don't need to 'control' free speech, we need to control ourselves.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes self-regulation instead of imposing restrictions on free speech.
Peggy Noonan suggests that rather than trying to regulate or control what others say, we should focus on managing our own responses and self-discipline concerning speech. This underscores the importance of personal accountability in a society where free expression is valued, highlighting that the challenge lies within individual behavior rather than external censorship.
Themes
Free SpeechSelf-ControlAccountabilityFreedom
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate on the limits of free speech, you might use this quote to argue for personal responsibility.
More from Peggy Noonan
All quotes βYou can get so well educated in America that your thoughts become detached from common sense. You can get so complicated in your thinking that the obvious isn't real to you anymore.
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We must try again to be alive to what the people of our country really long for in our national life: forgiveness and grace, maturity and wisdom. ...Our political leaders will know our priorities only if we tell them, again and again, and if those priorities begin to show up in the polls.
Peggy NoonanRead
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