Quotes About Freedom

Running from the birds to what, I didn't know. I ran. Why was I here at all? I ran through the night, ran within myself. Ran.

When I discover who I am, I'll be free." ? Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man

Until some gang succeeds in putting the world in a strait jacket, its definition is possibility.

and knowing now who I was and where I was and knowing too that I had no longer to run for or from the Jack's and the Emerson's and the Bledsoe's and the Norton's...but only from their confusion and impatience and refusal to recognize the beautiful absurdity of their American identity...and mine...

collectivity of politically astute citizens who, by virtue of our vaunted system of universal education and our freedom of opportunity, would be prepared to govern.

Let man keep his many parts and you'll have no tyrant states.

There's always an element of crime in freedom.

Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in the face of certain defeat

It was exhausting, for no matter what the scheme I conceived, there was one constant flaw—myself. There was no getting around it. I could no more escape than I could think of my identity. Perhaps, I thought, the two things are involved with each other. When I discover who I am, I'll be free.

Shouldn't there be some way for us to be asked to sing? Shouldn't the short man have the right to make a mistake without his motives being considered consciously or unconsciously malicious?

Do you still call it 'Juneteenth,' Revern' Hickman? Is it still celebrated?

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.

Some books leave us free and some books make us free.

Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.

I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives.

Every burned book or house enlightens the world; every suppressed or expunged word reverberates through the earth from side to side.

Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist. He who would gather immortal palms must not be hindered by the name of goodness, but must explore it if it be goodness. Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind. Absolve you to yourself, and you shall have the suffrage of the world.

In the woods too, a man casts off his years, as the snake his slough, and at what period soever of life, is always a child. In the woods, is perpetual youth.

Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of everyone of its members. Society is a joint-stock company, in which the members agree, for the better securing of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater. The virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion. It loves not realities and creators, but names and customs.

What I must do is all that concerns me, not what the people think.

I will not hide my tastes or aversions. I will so trust that what is deep is holy, that I will do strongly before the sun and moon whatever only rejoices me, and the heart appoints

Life is to be lived, not controlled.

For nonconformity the world will whip you with its displeasure.

there is no planet, sun, or star could hold you if you but knew what you are.