Power in defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression.
Meaning of the quote
Power used to protect freedom is stronger than power used to support tyranny and oppression. This quote means that the strength and effort put into defending people's rights and liberties is more powerful and meaningful than the strength used to control and mistreat people. It suggests that the motivation behind using power matters a lot - using power to protect freedom is more important and valuable than using power to oppress others.
More quotes from Malcolm X
If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.
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I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color.
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A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.
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Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you’re a man, you take it.
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You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.
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Truth is on the side of the oppressed.
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I am for violence if non-violence means we continue postponing a solution to the American black man’s problem just to avoid violence.
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Power never takes a back step only in the face of more power.
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In all our deeds, the proper value and respect for time determines success or failure.
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I believe in a religion that believes in freedom. Any time I have to accept a religion that won’t let me fight a battle for my people, I say to hell with that religion.
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Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
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The Negro revolution is controlled by foxy white liberals, by the Government itself. But the Black Revolution is controlled only by God.
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Power in defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression.
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You’re not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it.
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I don’t even call it violence when it’s in self defense; I call it intelligence.
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My Alma mater was books, a good library… I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity.
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Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.
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The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.
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Stumbling is not falling.
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There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.
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You can’t legislate good will – that comes through education.
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If you have no critics you’ll likely have no success.
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If you’re not ready to die for it, put the word ‘freedom’ out of your vocabulary.
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I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it’s for or against.
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You don’t have to be a man to fight for freedom. All you have to do is to be an intelligent human being.
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Nonviolence is fine as long as it works.
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You show me a capitalist, and I’ll show you a bloodsucker.
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Without education, you are not going anywhere in this world.
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