Vaclav Havel Quotes

To safeguard democracy the people must have a keen sense of independence, self-respect, and their oneness.

Just what is it that America stands for? If she stands for one thing more than another it is for the sovereignty of self-governing people.

See how free we are! as a nation of persons.

Canada is free and freedom is its nationality.

You either respect people's liberties, or you don't.

Liberty is the breath of life to nations.

Individual liberty depends upon keeping government under control.

All the citizens of a state cannot be equally powerful, but they may be equally free

Liberty, then, is the SOVEREIGNTY OF THE INDIVIDUAL.

The attainment of national independence is to me a search for truth.

We are simply allowing our right to self-determination to be stolen from us.

But at power or wealth, for the sake of which wars, and all kinds of strife, arise among mankind, we do not aim; we desire only our liberty, which no honorable man relinquishes but with his life.

Independence, the freedom of a self-governing nation, is in my estimation the highest political good, for which any disadvantage, if need be, and any sacrifice are a cheap price.

Real freedom for people can only exist whenever there is security and independence.

. . . we should be men first, and subjects afterward.

To be free is better than to be unfree – always. Any politician who suggests the opposite should be treated as suspect.

Individualism regards man-every man-as an independent, sovereign entity who possesses an inalienable right to his own life, a right derived from his nature as a rational being.

Self-determination is not a mere phrase. It is an imperative principle of action, which statesmen will henceforth ignore at their peril.

I have very little experience of self-government. In fact, I am one of the most governed people in the world.

I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.

We stand for freedom. That is our conviction for ourselves; that is our only commitment to others.

The advent of self-government for the Iraqi people is a watershed moment in their history.

Just as a man would not cherish living in a body other than his own, so do nations not like to live under other nations, however noble and great the latter may be.

Sovereignty is as necessary as ever.

Scotland should be nothing less than equal with all the other nations of the world.