The existence of nuclear weapons presents a clear and present danger to life on Earth.
Oscar AriasRead
I cannot accept that to be realistic means to tolerate misery, violence and hate. I do not believe that the hungry man should be treated as subversive for expressing his suffering. I shall never accept that the law can be used to justify tragedy, to keep things as they are, to make us abandon our ideas of a different world. Law is the path of liberty, and must as such open the way to progress for everyone.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Realism should not mean accepting suffering and injustice as the norm; laws should promote freedom and progress.
In this quote, Oscar Arias challenges the notion that being realistic requires accepting the status quo, which often includes misery, violence, and injustice. He emphasizes that the law should not be a tool for maintaining oppression but rather a pathway to liberty and a means for societal progress, arguing that it is vital to hold onto visions of a better world and advocate for those who suffer.
Themes
RealismLibertyLawProgressJusticeSufferingChange
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a speech about social justice reforms.
More from Oscar Arias
All quotes →It is essential that justice be done, and it is equally vital that justice not be confused with revenge, for the two are wholly different.
Oscar AriasRead
Peace is a never ending process... It cannot ignore our differences or overlook our common interests. It requires us to work and live together.
Oscar AriasRead
The existence of nuclear weapons presents a clear and present danger to life on Earth. Nuclear arms cannot bolster the security of any nation because they represent a threat to the security of the human race. These incredibly destructive weapons are an affront to our common humanity, and the tens of billions of dollars that are dedicated to their development and maintenance should be used instead to alleviate human need and suffering
Oscar AriasRead
The most deadly disease truly is the failure of the heart.
Oscar AriasRead
Justice and peace can only thrive together, never apart.
Oscar AriasRead
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