Unless democracy is to commit suicide by consenting to its own destruction, it will have to find some formidable answer to those who come to it saying: I demand from you in the name of your principles the rights which I shall deny to you later in the name of my principles.

Summary

This quote underscores the dilemma that democracy faces when dealing with individuals or groups who seek to exploit its principles to undermine its own existence. It suggests that in order for democracy to protect itself from those who ask for rights and freedoms only to later deny them to others, it must devise a strong and effective response. This is necessary to prevent democracy from inadvertently enabling its own destruction by accommodating those who act in contradiction to its fundamental values and principles.

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