“Fear of serious injury alone cannot justify oppression of free speech and assembly. Men feared witches and burnt women. It is the function of speech to free men from the bondage of irrational fears”
— Noam Chomsky
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Simplified Meaning:
Being afraid of getting hurt isn't a good enough reason to stop people from speaking their minds or gathering together. In the past, people were scared of witches and ended up burning innocent women because of these fears. Just like that, our fears can lead us to do terrible things if we don't think clearly. Speaking openly helps us understand each other better and get rid of silly, harmful fears. If we stop talking or meeting because we're scared, we miss the chance to learn and grow. By allowing free speech, we can break free from unfounded fears and act more wisely.
Related tags
Assembly Bondage Fear Freedom of speech Injury Irrational fears Justice Liberty OppressionFEATURED QUOTES
