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About this quote

What does it mean?
A Buddhist leader notes the paradox that tolerance must exclude intolerance to be effective.
In plain terms
Be tolerant of everything except intolerance itself.
What can you take from it?
Tolerance cannot tolerate hate.

Where it applies

  • debating rights
  • interfaith dialogue
  • ethical discussion

Putting it to work

  • set boundaries for tolerance
  • discuss ethics

Questions to consider

  • Where do you draw the line on tolerance?
  • Can tolerance be forced?

Another view

It leaves the definition of intolerance open to debate.

More from U Thant

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  3. The war we have to wage today has only one goal and that is to make the world safe for diversity.

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