Richard von Weizsaecker Quotes

Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate.

We sometimes talk about democracy as if it’s just about voting, and the stuff that happens in legislatures. But, at its core, liberal democracy is a series of concrete human encounters: persuasion, argument, negotiation, compromise. It’s one viewpoint encountering a bunch of other viewpoints in hopes of finding some positive way forward. For liberal democracy to function, we must be able to understand one another to some degree, to see one another’s viewpoints, to project respect across difference and disagreement.

A healthy state encourages many voices - and lots of listening.

A full and fair discussion is essential to democracy.

America remains an open society in which opposing forces can surface and clash, a necessary precondition for their solution.

I think difference of opinion is a good thing.

The spirit of democracy is not a mechanical thing to be adjusted by abolition of forms. It requires change of heart.

Democracy is not simply a question of structures. It is a state of mind. It is an activity. And part of that activity is honesty.

Dialogue between people of differing views is critical for fostering understanding in a democracy.

A mature society understands that at the heart of democracy is argument.

I always tell my students: I don't care which side you're on. I respect you too much to try to persuade you in 120 minutes a week, much less lure you into pretending that you agree with me. All I want is for you to own this democracy, to see yours, to have a stake in it.

Questioning is the great strength of democracy; the ability to doubt without losing face

We are a country that does better when we do debate and air our differences.

The sound of tireless voices is the price we pay for the right to hear the music of our own opinions.

Differences of opinion are healthy and they're a part of what makes our democracy great. We grow by understanding each other's differences.

Democracy requires a certain relish for confusion

I would love it if everybody in America agreed with me on every issue. I can't get my wife to agree with me on every issue, let alone the American people. It's called democracy. That's what it's about.

It's a very important thing to learn to talk to people you disagree with.

And I think both the left and the right should celebrate people who have different opinions, and disagree with them, and argue with them, and differ with them, but don't just try to shut them up.

If every inhabitant of a liberal democracy believes in liberal democracy, then it doesn't matter what creed or colour they are.

The motive power of democracy is love.

Power is action; the electoral principle is discussion. No political action is possible when discussion is permanently established.

We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.

The true victory is the victory for democracy and pluralism.