I am reminded of Solzhenitsyn’s parting words to the Russian people in his essay Live Not By Lies. We may not have the courage to stand alongside Navalny and walk knowingly to our death, but we can refuse to give our consent to the lies. This essay should be required reading for every American high school student. “And as for him who lac…
I am reminded of Solzhenitsyn’s parting words to the Russian people in his essay Live Not By Lies. We may not have the courage to stand alongside Navalny and walk knowingly to our death, but we can refuse to give our consent to the lies. This essay should be required reading for every American high school student. “And as for him who lacks the courage to defend even his own soul: Let him not brag of his progressive views, boast of his status as an academician or a recognized artist, a distinguished citizen or general. Let him say to himself plainly: I am cattle, I am a coward, I seek only warmth and to eat my fill.”
Colleen, thank you for this. It is now an addition to the list of quotes that I keep, of things said that particularly strike me as important, things that should not be allowed to the slide into the memory hole.
I am no hero, but I hope to live out my life without sinking into existence as an unthinking, unresponsive herd animal.
I am reminded of Solzhenitsyn’s parting words to the Russian people in his essay Live Not By Lies. We may not have the courage to stand alongside Navalny and walk knowingly to our death, but we can refuse to give our consent to the lies. This essay should be required reading for every American high school student. “And as for him who lacks the courage to defend even his own soul: Let him not brag of his progressive views, boast of his status as an academician or a recognized artist, a distinguished citizen or general. Let him say to himself plainly: I am cattle, I am a coward, I seek only warmth and to eat my fill.”
https://www.solzhenitsyncenter.org/
Colleen, thank you for this. It is now an addition to the list of quotes that I keep, of things said that particularly strike me as important, things that should not be allowed to the slide into the memory hole.
I am no hero, but I hope to live out my life without sinking into existence as an unthinking, unresponsive herd animal.
Mary, read the whole essay if you get a chance. It’s replete with quotes I want burned into my memory.