I hope that I will be the last victim in China's long record of treating words as crimes.
Liu XiaoboRead
In order to exercise the right to freedom of speech conferred by the Constitution, one should fulfill the social responsibility of a Chinese citizen.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Freedom of speech comes with social responsibility.
Liu Xiaobo emphasizes that while the right to freedom of speech is guaranteed by the Constitution, it is essential for individuals, particularly in China, to acknowledge and fulfill their social responsibilities. He suggests that true freedom of expression should be exercised thoughtfully and ethically, respecting the collective well-being of society.
Themes
FreedomSpeechResponsibilityCitizenChina
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the balance between free speech and social duty.
More from Liu Xiaobo
All quotes →Free expression is the base of human rights, the root of human nature and the mother of truth. To kill free speech is to insult human rights, to stifle human nature and to suppress truth.
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Ultimately, change will happen when problems persist and enough people are concerned.
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There is no force that can put an end to the human quest for freedom, and China will, in the end, become a nation ruled by law, where human rights reign supreme.
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If there has been any progress in the Chinese society and politics over the last 20 years, it is all because the citizens have been pushing for change.
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For those of us in the opposition movement under dictatorships, part of our job is confronting police and spending time in prison. So, a dissident not only needs to learn how to oppose oppression but also how to face the crackdowns and time in prison.
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