Annie > Annie's Quotes

“If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries. These libraries should be open to all—except the censor. We must know all the facts and hear all the alternatives and listen to all the criticisms. Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors. For the Bill of Rights is the guardian of our security as well as our liberty.

[Response to questionnaire in Saturday Review, October 29 1960]”
― John F. Kennedy

“Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance.”
― Laurie Halse Anderson, Speak

“If there's one American belief I hold above all others, it's that those who would set themselves up in judgment on matters of what is "right" and what is "best" should be given no rest; that they should have to defend their behavior most stringently. ... As a nation, we've been through too many fights to preserve our rights of free thought to let them go just because some prude with a highlighter doesn't approve of them."

[Bangor Daily News, Guest Column of March 20, 1992]”
― Stephen King

“Bring on the controversy. I write real life. It's harsh and sometimes gritty, but it's real. Why should we tip toe around that?”
― Shandy L. Kurth

“Having the freedom to read and the freedom to choose is one of the best gifts my parents ever gave me.”
― Judy Blume

“When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.”
― Nelson Mandela

“It always seems impossible until it's done.”
― Nelson Mandela

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
― Nelson Mandela

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
― Nelson Mandela

“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”
― Nelson Mandela

“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
― Nelson Mandela

“I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”
― Nelson Mandela

“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.”
― Nelson Mandela

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
― Nelson Mandela

“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up”
― Nelson Mandela

“Where you stand depends on where you sit.”
― Nelson Mandela

“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.”
― Nelson Mandela

“Courage is not the absence of fear — it s inspiring others to move beyond it.”
― Nelson Mandela

“A Nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it's lowest ones”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

“Nothing is black or white.”
― Nelson Mandela

“One cannot be prepared for something while secretly believing it will not happen.”
― Nelson Mandela

“You will achieve more in this world through acts of mercy than you will through acts of retribution.”
― Nelson Mandela

“Live life as though nobody is watching, and express yourself as though everyone is listening.”
― Nelson Mandela

“We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.”
― Nelson Mandela

“It is not where you start but how high you aim that matters for success.”
― Nelson Mandela

“I am not an optimist, but a great believer of hope.”
― Nelson Mandela

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”
― Nelson Mandela

“I AM THE MASTER OF MY FATE AND THE CAPTAIN OF MY DESTINY.”
― Nelson Mandela