Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Free speech is useless if you are too scared to speak.
In plain terms
Freedom doesn't help if you are afraid.
What can you take from it?
Courage is needed to use free speech.

Where it applies

  • public debate
  • activism
  • social media

Putting it to work

  • speak up
  • practice courage

Questions to consider

  • What stops us from speaking?
  • Is fear always bad?

Another view

Fear may come from real risks, not just hesitation.

More from Roger Ebert

  1. Well, what is a political film? A film about politicians? Or a film about issues - sexism, racism, the environment, nuclear policy? I decided on the broader de…

    Permalink to quote #2
  2. Many moviegoers and video viewers say they do not 'like' black and white films. In my opinion, they are cutting themselves off from much of the mystery and bea…

    Permalink to quote #3
  3. I wear a pedometer, a little device that counts every step. It works as a goad, because you walk additional distances to pile up the numbers. The average perso…

    Permalink to quote #4

Related quotes

  1. He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.

    AristotleAristotle quote #1
  2. It is only when we speak what is right that we stand a chance at night of being blown to bits in our homes. Can we call this a free country, when I am afraid t…

    Fannie Lou HamerFannie Lou Hamer quote #1
  3. von Humboldt (seeing a newspaper containing slanderous falsehoods against Jefferson on the President's desk) : Why do you not have the fellow hung who dares to…

    Alexander von HumboldtAlexander von Humboldt quote #1