Gus Hurwitz Quotes

In a world of rapid change, an agile and adaptable mind, a pragmatic and cooperative temperament, a strong ethical orientation - these are increasingly the keys to effective leadership. And I would add to this list a capacity for intellectual humility which keeps one’s mind constantly open to a variety of viewpoints and which welcomes pluralistic exchange.

In times of social turmoil, our impulse is often to pull back on free expression. We want the progress that comes from free expression, but not the tension.

Democracy depends on the idea that we hold each others’ right to express ourselves and be heard above our own desire to always get the outcomes we want. You can’t impose tolerance top-down.

A certain degree of intellectual humility is a good thing.

It is not bigotry to be certain we are right; but it is bigotry to be unable to imagine how we might possibly have gone wrong.

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.

Conversation would be vastly improved by the constant use of four simple words: I do not know.

You don't have true freedom until you allow a diversity of opinion and a diversity of voices.

What we need to do in this PC world is forget about unanimity of speech and unanimity of thought and we need to concentrate on being respectful of those people with whom we disagree.

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

In the intellectual order, the virtue of humility is nothing more nor less than the power of attention.

The long run of history, the censor and the inquisitor have always lost. The only weapon against bad ideas is better ideas.

Only reason can convince us of those three fundamental truths without a recognition of which there can be no effective liberty: that what we believe is not necessarily good; and that all questions are open.

Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness.

Brown’s core value of promoting the free and open exchange of ideas is bedrock to our capacity to fulfill our mission as a university. This value applies not only when ideas are agreeable and aligned with our own. Protecting the right to free expression and promoting open discourse is even more essential when ideas are divergent, abhorrent or even hurtful.

Nations should live in an atmosphere of self-criticism because it is healthy, but always with one heart and one mind.

… if freedom of speech means anything, it means a willingness to stand and let people say things with which we disagree, and which do weary us considerably.

The American tradition rests on pillars of self-questioning, self-actualization, and disagreement.

In order to practice dialogue, you need to be able to set aside your assumptions and try to listen more than you want to talk. It's not always politically correct to be able to do that, but it can give you a better sense of the reality.

I am always open to new ideas, but you can't always be right.

Whatever differences we have, tolerating others' opinions is a prerequisite to a functioning and free society.

I think I've always had that orientation to try to understand the humanity behind people with whom I disagree.

Everybody has their opinion. I respect anything that anybody has to say.

Wisdom comes out of dialogue so you have to develop the capacity to expose your own ignorance in order that they may discover their own wisdom.

I don't care if it's politics, religion or football. I believe you have to keep opening your mind. And shut your mouth sometimes!