When any government, or any church for that matter, undertakes to say to its subjects, This you may not read, this you must not see, this you are forbidden to know, the end result is tyranny and oppression, no matter how holy the motives. Mighty little force is needed to control a man whose mind has been hoodwinked; contrariwise, no amount of force can control a free man, a man whose mind is free. No, not the rack, not fission bombs, - not anything - you can't conquer a free man; the most you can do is kill him.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance of freedom of information and the dangers of censorship and control. It asserts that any government or institution, be it religious or political, that seeks to restrict knowledge and control what people can access, ultimately leads to tyranny and oppression. It suggests that when individuals are manipulated and their minds are controlled, they become easier to govern. Conversely, a free-minded individual who has access to information cannot be easily controlled or subdued by force. It highlights the idea that freedom of thought is powerful and cannot be completely suppressed, even though physical harm may be inflicted.

Topics