topic Re: Elie Wiesel quote in Community Chat

Elie Wiesel quote

LilacTree — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 19:42:46 GMT

Part of a quote by Elie Wiesel, during his speech when he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986.

" . . . We must always take sides. Neutrality helps only the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented."

This will be my new siggy.

Re: Elie Wiesel quote

QVCkitty1 — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 19:45:29 GMT

That is a great quote, but I would add one from JFK, " Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate "

Re: Elie Wiesel quote

suzyQ3 — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 21:39:09 GMT

Love both quotes, but honestly, without context they can be interpreted in so many different ways.

Re: Elie Wiesel quote

LilacTree — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 22:18:28 GMT

@suzyQ3 wrote:
Love both quotes, but honestly, without context they can be interpreted in so many different ways.

@suzyQ3

Yes, it can . . . and it does in my case. It was posted for Lyme Disease, which my daughter has, but that is not the only way it fits many topics and situations in my life . . . as well as in this endangered and troubled world.

Re: Elie Wiesel quote

Isobel Archer — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 23:01:51 GMT

And yet, you can't bring people together if you take sides.

Re: Elie Wiesel quote

suzyQ3 — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 23:07:24 GMT

@Isobel Archer wrote:
And yet, you can't bring people together if you take sides.

@Isobel Archer, yes, this is the reason that I mentioned the importance of context. We all surely know that it depends upon the reference. Also, it depends upon timing: How does one finally decide that in a particular case, he or she must take a stand? Or conversely, wait it out in the attempt at some kind of agreement on both sides?

I can certainly think of situations in which one or the other seem the most appropriate.

Re: Elie Wiesel quote

QVCkitty1 — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 23:19:37 GMT

@suzyQ3 wrote:
@Isobel Archer wrote:
And yet, you can't bring people together if you take sides.
@Isobel Archer, yes, this is the reason that I mentioned the importance of context. We all surely know that it depends upon the reference. Also, it depends upon timing: How does one finally decide that in a particular case, he or she must take a stand? Or conversely, wait it out in the attempt at some kind of agreement on both sides?

I can certainly think of situations in which one or the other seem the most appropriate.

Of course in some situations there is no middle ground, however, I posted my quote because I think negotiation, compromise, and consensus are lost arts in this society. We see it in government and even on message boards, and I think it is a shame.

Re: Elie Wiesel quote

suzyQ3 — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 23:38:39 GMT

@QVCkitty1 wrote:
@suzyQ3 wrote:
@Isobel Archer wrote:
And yet, you can't bring people together if you take sides.
@Isobel Archer, yes, this is the reason that I mentioned the importance of context. We all surely know that it depends upon the reference. Also, it depends upon timing: How does one finally decide that in a particular case, he or she must take a stand? Or conversely, wait it out in the attempt at some kind of agreement on both sides?

I can certainly think of situations in which one or the other seem the most appropriate.
Of course in some situations there is no middle ground, however, I posted my quote because I think negotiation, compromise, and consensus are lost arts in this society. We see it in government and even on message boards, and I think it is a shame.

@QVCkitty1, even though famous quotes are best in context, I was really referring more to @LilacTree's selection.

Of course, I agree with your sentiment.

Re: Elie Wiesel quote

stuyvesant — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 00:53:33 GMT

@suzyQ3 wrote:
Love both quotes, but honestly, without context they can be interpreted in so many different ways.

__________________________

That's how quotes stay current.

Re: Elie Wiesel quote

skuggles — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 01:04:52 GMT

@suzyQ3 wrote:
@Isobel Archer wrote:
And yet, you can't bring people together if you take sides.
@Isobel Archer, yes, this is the reason that I mentioned the importance of context. We all surely know that it depends upon the reference. Also, it depends upon timing: How does one finally decide that in a particular case, he or she must take a stand? Or conversely, wait it out in the attempt at some kind of agreement on both sides?

I can certainly think of situations in which one or the other seem the most appropriate.

I agree. Just look at his quote in context and you will understand in what context he meant it.

“We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must - at that moment - become the center of the universe.”

I consider the last remarks a specifier to the first.

Re: Elie Wiesel quote

Cakers3 — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 03:18:04 GMT

@skuggles wrote:
@suzyQ3 wrote:
@Isobel Archer wrote:
And yet, you can't bring people together if you take sides.
@Isobel Archer, yes, this is the reason that I mentioned the importance of context. We all surely know that it depends upon the reference. Also, it depends upon timing: How does one finally decide that in a particular case, he or she must take a stand? Or conversely, wait it out in the attempt at some kind of agreement on both sides?

I can certainly think of situations in which one or the other seem the most appropriate.
I agree. Just look at his quote in context and you will understand in what context he meant it.

“We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must - at that moment - become the center of the universe.”

I consider the last remarks a specifier to the first.

@skugglesAgree. Also agree with @suzyQ3 and @Isobel Archer

Re: Elie Wiesel quote

LilacTree — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 14:19:31 GMT

@Isobel Archer wrote:
And yet, you can't bring people together if you take sides.

Try negotiating with Isis and your head will be on the ground before you can open your mouth.

I'm not talking about "disagreements" here or "opinions." I'm talking about "survival," as I believe Wiesel was.

I have lived far too long to be a Pollyanna. I am a realist. Frankly, for our children's sake, I hope I am wrong.

Re: Elie Wiesel quote

Plaid Pants2 — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 14:32:02 GMT

This is my favorite speech of all time. It is from Charlie Chaplin's movie "The Great Dictator".

To me, it is just as true now, as it was then.

Maybe even more so.

*************************************************************************************************

The Final Speech from The Great Dictator

I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be an emperor. That’s not my business. I don’t want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone - if possible - Jew, Gentile - black man - white. We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness - not by each other’s misery. We don’t want to hate and despise one another. In this world there is room for everyone. And the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way

. Greed has poisoned men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical. Our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery we need humanity. More than cleverness we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost….

The aeroplane and the radio have brought us closer together. The very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in men - cries out for universal brotherhood - for the unity of us all. Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world - millions of despairing men, women, and little children - victims of a system that makes men torture and imprison innocent people.

To those who can hear me, I say - do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed - the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish. …..

Soldiers! don’t give yourselves to brutes - men who despise you - enslave you - who regiment your lives - tell you what to do - what to think and what to feel! Who drill you - diet you - treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder. Don’t give yourselves to these unnatural men - machine men with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not machines! You are not cattle! You are men! You have the love of humanity in your hearts! You don’t hate! Only the unloved hate - the unloved and the unnatural! Soldiers! Don’t fight for slavery! Fight for liberty!

In the 17th Chapter of St Luke it is written: “the Kingdom of God is within man” - not one man nor a group of men, but in all men! In you! You, the people have the power - the power to create machines. The power to create happiness! You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure.

Then - in the name of democracy - let us use that power - let us all unite. Let us fight for a new world - a decent world that will give men a chance to work - that will give youth a future and old age a security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power. But they lie! They do not fulfil that promise. They never will!

Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people! Now let us fight to fulfil that promise! Let us fight to free the world - to do away with national barriers - to do away with greed, with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men’s happiness. Soldiers! in the name of democracy, let us all unite!

Re: Elie Wiesel quote

LilacTree — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 14:51:24 GMT

More quotes from Elie Wiesel:

We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.

The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.

There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.

He lived through hell in a concentration camp. Without individuals who are willing to fight, this country would not exist.

Meryl Streep just admitted she was assaulted and beaten when she was younger, but would not give the details. As a result, she later witnessed a man abusing a woman on the streets. She said she "lost it" and ran to fight him, as she could not bear to witness it. Another stranger came to help, and between them, the abuser ran off. Better that she had taken the safe way out and just stood there and said "tsk, tsk?"

Not to get "involved" is more rampant nowadays than fighting for what's right. Yes, choose what's worth fighting for first, and then act. We have lost that ability, it seems.

[Just want to mention that some of you may note I pass up fighting on this BB . . . which is because I don't believe it's worth it.]

Re: Elie Wiesel quote

Isobel Archer — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 15:58:08 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
More quotes from Elie Wiesel:

We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.

The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.

There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.

He lived through hell in a concentration camp. Without individuals who are willing to fight, this country would not exist.

Meryl Streep just admitted she was assaulted and beaten when she was younger, but would not give the details. As a result, she later witnessed a man abusing a woman on the streets. She said she "lost it" and ran to fight him, as she could not bear to witness it. Another stranger came to help, and between them, the abuser ran off. Better that she had taken the safe way out and just stood there and said "tsk, tsk?"

Not to get "involved" is more rampant nowadays than fighting for what's right. Yes, choose what's worth fighting for first, and then act. We have lost that ability, it seems.

[Just want to mention that some of you may note I pass up fighting on this BB . . . which is because I don't believe it's worth it.]

Not sure Meryl Streep is the best example of standing up for assaulted women. She gave admitted child rapist Roman Polanski a standing ovation when he received an Academy Award.

Re: Elie Wiesel quote

Plaid Pants2 — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 15:58:15 GMT

There are consequences when one takes sides.

Then one has to live with those consequences.

Re: Elie Wiesel quote

Deanie — Sat, 18 Nov 2017 18:45:08 GMT

@Isobel Archer

I agree with you.