"The evils of tyranny are rarely seen
but by him who resists it."
by:
John Hay
(1838-1905) American statesman, diplomat, author, journalist, and private secretary and assistant to Abraham Lincoln
Source:
Castilian Days, II, 1872
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Reader comments about this quote:
Things may once have been that way, but they changed drastically not too long after the time of this quote.
 -- David L. Rosenthal     
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    Rosenthal, you prove the truth of this quote. Take off your rose colored glasses, see the tyranny in our current government, and RESIST IT.
     -- Joe, Rochester, MI     
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    I agree with David above but I also agree that this quote is still true today.
     -- Me Again     
  • 1 1
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    David obviously does not resist tyranny, that is why he doesn't see it. This quote is true today as ever. Timeless wisdom.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
  • 4
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    WOW! how true, and the implications are immense. By way of extremely terse example: The slave at mind and heart are oblivious in their collectivist's bubble. Comfortable in the heard, they continue to finance their homes and cars, while tyranny surgically extracts true liberty from them. David, you missed that whole war between the states thing prior to 1870, and what caused it.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
  • 2
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    OK, Mike, I forgot about millions of slaves in the South. Joe, Mike, Archer: What are you ranting about? The quote does not apply today, when the evils of tyranny are seen by very many people most of the time, not only by those who resist it, but by all who have half a brain. You think of American government, perhaps, but it's a big world, in which billions of people would love to live under the tyranny of the American government, rather than the real tyranny you seem not to recognize.
     -- David L Rosenthal     
  • 1
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    David, you are somewhat right. America does enjoy more freedoms than many other countries. In many of the minds that you are speaking of, a bigger reason than liberty exists for moving here: 'financial'. They bring with them an understanding of big brother hurts you but you can still make a better living here. The silent expectation along with apathy allows tyranny to grow here. The distance or guage to tyranny from/vs. liberty here measures from the intent of the original constitution. The guage in Cuba is from the communist manifesto, to what they have now. Though we may be slightly more free than Cuba, the distance from our foundations is huge. As to the quote, there are many in Cuba who do not resist tyranny because they are as those here in America, give them the perception of materialism, and liberty is left to the few (who will always resist.)
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
  • 2
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    Mike: Economic concerns are an issue for many who come here. But I do not think that one should discount the tyrannical aspect of starving political opponents (Cuba, Darfur, Somalia), or of monopolizing a nation's resources and land (many nations), just because it has to do with the amount of food permitted the population or the way property has become distributed. Artificially-induced famine is still violent tyranny. Forcing millions to perpetually live in abject poverty, by denying access to any possibility of working ones way out of it, is tyranny. And the 100,000 jailed members of Falun Gong and the 1,600 murdered members of Falun Gong (statistics from between 1999 and 2004), and the Falun Gong who have had the Chinese authorities forcibly remove their organs for transplants? And the millions of literal slaves, not to mention the millions more virtual slaves, in several countries, whose level of subsistence makes American tyranny seem like a country-club existence? I think it is hypocrisy to compare their lot with ours and state that we suffer tyranny, while they suffer economic need.
     -- David L Rosenthal     
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    And as far as Cuba goes, I will give you a dollar for each of the 11 million Cubans in Cuba who agree with the Communist Manifesto. I probably have the required amount in my pocket.
     -- David L Rosenthal     
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    It is not a question as to whether American tyranny is as bad as any other. Neglecting our responsibility to resist tyranny at home so that we can impose our brand of it upon other oppressed nations is no less tyrannical. If the reason for colluding with tyranny at home is because 'people in China or Cuba are oppressed worse so just be grateful we haven't become like them yet' is delusional. If we are not careful, Americans will have no more recourse than the Chinese or Cuban people. Resist every usurpation no matter how small -- that is the vigilance required to preserve our rights here and ultimately abroad.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Is murdering Falun Gong members Chinese population control? Given the right to own weapons, the Chinese government may have left them alone. Or simply murdered all who defended themselves, with claims of putting down a rebellion.
     -- Joe, Rochester, MI     
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    Tyranny is usually only seen when it is already too late to do anything about it, and resistance is not much of an option.
     -- Ken, Allyn, WA     
  • 2
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    It certainly is not a question of whether American tyranny is as bad as any other...it is a matter of defining things correctly. Archer wrote: "If the reason for colluding with tyranny at home is because people in China or Cuba are oppressed worse so just be grateful we haven't become like them yet is delusional." Is he referring to someone in particular, in some specific situation, or is he just delusional himself?
     -- David L. Rosenthal     
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    "...that is the vigilance required to preserve our rights here and ultimately abroad." Oh so now you favor preserving rights abroad? Since when? What methods do you approve? Archer: I approve preserving rights anywhere, so I guess I have to approve your right to flip-flop, rant, and use unfathomable grammar.
     -- David L Rosenthal     
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    Joe: The Falun Gong are pacificsts, and will not use weapons.
     -- David L Rosenthal     
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     -- Anonymous, Reston, VA US      
    David, does it really take 3 messages for every 1 someone else makes in order for you to make your point? And what IS your point besides being the devil's advocate on every single issue? Attempting to monopolize every discussion gets a little boring -- especially when your comments are no longer about the point of discussion but for merely insulting other people who disagree with your very opinionated remarks.

    Back to point: I say as I always say, freedom starts with the individual -- it is called responsibility. If the individual does not know how to take care of him/herself, then he/she is not free but dependent. If 'we' ever expect to inspire freedom abroad, we must start with practicing it at home -- anything less is pure hypocrisy. No one can free another people -- the people must declare it for themselves and fight -- we can only play a supporting role -- those that are free must be independent and self-reliant. It is the responsibility of the individual to resist tyranny -- it helps if he is not alone, but he must resist none-the-less. Courage is all we really need.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
  • 3
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    I agreed those that are free must be independent and self reliant. If tyranny is use in the home for parent to protect children from illegal drug use, then those who resist are irresponsible. At all cost, as parent I will not shame to be call a tyrant.
     -- Sang, Coral springs florida     
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    Tyranny is felt by many people in many ways in the US whether they resist it or not. People just seem to feel they are powerless against it and fall too easily into the simplistic rationale of "it's better than over there". The fact is that We The People are the power and we've forgotten how to use it. Restore the Republic.
     -- J Carlton, Calgary     
  • 2
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    United Socialists of Amerika (USA) is far more tyranical than when this quote was first presented. Mr. Obamunist Goodwrench the assassin has single hadedly legislated commerce out of the country, Home Land Security is seizing many, MANY bank accounts at randum - for no apparent reason (no reasons even given) Homes are illegally being seized at an unprecedented rate, police brutality is getting worse and promoted by the courts, ETC., ETC., ETC. ! ! !
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
  • 2
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    Self-responsibility+self-reliability+self sufficiency=self respect. It is a simple equation for anyone not of the "gimme yours" group.
     -- Abby     
  • 1
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    A truism, and applicable to many of mankind's shortcomings.
     -- Bobble, No. Ferrisburgh, VT     
  • 1
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    Being raised in a monarchy with a foundation of Liberty and Freedom, children, instilled with respect and responsibility, if willing, rise to positions of leadership tempered with respect and courage ! Worthy of teaching others the same. Reaching full potential as an individual and neighbor citizen. Ignorance thrives on superstition kindled by mediocrity of the mob. Materialism is the bait often used by the montibank, a politician in a new suit. Prior to the civil war only seven percent of the southern population owned slaves. For 1400 years the largest dealer in slaves have been sold by the islamist of Africa. General Grant was a slave owner, which General Robert E. Lee was Not ! " might " of the industrial revolution with all its European economic prowess of the north needed raw material, held in abundance by the southern regions of the nation. A Strong hold for the Baptist and Grace believers, apposed by the Northern reaches of the roman catholic church preaching socialism ! The wolf in sheep's clothing. ! The cat, let into the room by Lincoln siding with the federalist and radical republicans. The knowledge of our type of Liberty and freedom passed down from generation to generation, 370 years on this continent, 1st and 2nd nations mingled through Agrarianism and the mutual belief in ONE CREATOR ordaining the unalienable rights of mankind ! As Natural as it GETS ! Yes we both believe in angels and spirits, life after death. Easy to understand Why our Ship of State is designed in such a way to be all inclusive of both peoples ! God's laws made evident, by manifestation in the conscience and heart of the children of men.
     -- Ronw13, Yachats OR     
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