---
title: "The last word remains with Christ and Handel; and this must stand as … — George Bernard Shaw Quote #196 | QuotesBy.net"
description: "The last word remains with Christ and Handel; and this must stand as the best defence of Tolerance until a better man than I makes a better job of it… — a quote by George Bernard Shaw."
image: "https://quotesby.net/wp-content/themes/quotesby-editorial/assets/og-default.png"
---

> # The last word remains with Christ and Handel; and this must stand as the best defence of Tolerance until a better man than I makes a better job of it. Put shortly and undramatically the case is that a civilization cannot progress without criticism, and must therefore, to save itself from stagnation and putrefaction, declare impunity for criticism. This means impunity not only for propositions which, however novel, seem interesting, statesmanlike, and respectable, but for propositions that shock the uncritical as obscene, seditious, blasphemous, heretical, and revolutionary.

[George Bernard Shaw](https://quotesby.net/George-Bernard-Shaw)\#196

[Criticism](https://quotesby.net/George-Bernard-Shaw/criticism/)[Freedom](https://quotesby.net/George-Bernard-Shaw/freedom/)[Progress](https://quotesby.net/George-Bernard-Shaw/progress/)[Civilization](https://quotesby.net/George-Bernard-Shaw/civilization/)[Tolerance](https://quotesby.net/George-Bernard-Shaw/tolerance/)

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## About this quote

What does it mean?Civilization needs progress without criticism even when it shocks or offends.In plain termsProgress requires free criticism even if it feels offensive.What can you take from it?Protect criticism to avoid stagnation.

### Where it applies

- academic freedom
- free speech
- social progress

### Putting it to work

- defend free criticism
- accept uncomfortable ideas

### Questions to consider

- What criticism should be protected?
- Is tolerance without limits possible?

### Another view

Unlimited criticism can also harm social cohesion.

## More from George Bernard Shaw

1. > Law is blind without counsel. The counsel men agree with is vain: it is only the echo of their own voices. A million echoes will not help you to rule righteous…

[Permalink to quote \#195](https://quotesby.net/George-Bernard-Shaw/195/ "Permalink to quote 195")
2. > Confusing monogamy with morality has done more to destroy the conscience of the human race than any other error.\[2\]

[Permalink to quote \#197](https://quotesby.net/George-Bernard-Shaw/197/ "Permalink to quote 197")
3. > The kingdom of God is striving to come. The empire that looks back in terror shall give way to the kingdom that looks forward with hope. Terror drives men mad:…

[Permalink to quote \#194](https://quotesby.net/George-Bernard-Shaw/194/ "Permalink to quote 194")

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