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What's the quote about good people standing by/not speaking out?

19 replies

slartibartfastsbeard · 02/05/2020 18:32

I've heard and read a quote about good people unintentionally becoming part of the evil if they don't speak out against injustice?

OP posts:
slartibartfastsbeard · 02/05/2020 18:33

Posted too soon. Is there an actual quote or saying?

OP posts:
LilacTree1 · 02/05/2020 18:34

Is it this?

“ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” ― Edmund Burke.

RippleEffects · 02/05/2020 18:35

“To say nothing is saying something. You must denounce things you are against or one might believe that you support things you really do not.”

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Elpheba · 02/05/2020 18:36

Also I like the poem by a priest in Auschwitz- not a saying but still very much along the same lines.

What's the quote about good people standing by/not speaking out?
slartibartfastsbeard · 02/05/2020 18:36

LilacTree1 thank you!

OP posts:
slartibartfastsbeard · 02/05/2020 18:56

Thanks everyone. I went with the poem. It was very apt for my purpose

OP posts:
Katinski · 02/05/2020 18:56

I only remember the one Elpheba posted. Powerful stuff. Thanks for posting it.

LilacTree1 · 02/05/2020 18:59

Are we allowed to know your purpose?

I sound like I’m leading a self help class 😂

slartibartfastsbeard · 02/05/2020 19:55

LilacTree1 a friend who thinks I'm too vocal in my criticism of the current government

OP posts:
slartibartfastsbeard · 02/05/2020 19:57

I think she's one who thinks they're doing a great job and Boris outstanding as leader.

OP posts:
LilacTree1 · 02/05/2020 19:57

Thanks OP.

Dare I ask if this is a pro or anti lockdown thing?

Frangipanini · 02/05/2020 20:02

So, if they don't agree with your views then they are getting a copy of that poem and are labelled as sitting by and doing nothing?

EdwinaMay · 02/05/2020 20:07

There's a new rule.
You can't whinge about the government or anything else without saying what is wrong, how to fix it, and where the money is coming from to do it.

Frangipanini · 02/05/2020 20:09

Great rule.

LilacTree1 · 02/05/2020 20:16

I think it’s good to have these conversations but I wouldn’t want to stick a good or evil label on things.

LilacTree1 · 02/05/2020 20:17

I mean things like the current situation btw

Not spree killings!

Smilethoyourheartisbreaking · 02/05/2020 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

slartibartfastsbeard · 02/05/2020 20:36

I used good and evil because I thought the quote I was looking for used those words. I wouldn't call my friend evil, it's just she does prefer to let things go over her head rather than spend a minute thinking about it or reading an article instead of the misleading headline. She's been brought up not to question authority and I understand why she's the way she is but she's come out with some corkers the last few weeks.

Probably hasn't helped that I've re-read 1984 for the first time in nearly 30 years and rather than reading it as a good piece of fiction, I've been reading it and seeing the comparisons to the last few years and thinking "bloody hell" every so often 😂

OP posts:
LilacTree1 · 02/05/2020 20:53

OP it’s difficult

I read 1984 years ago

When I said to mum I felt like I’d woken up in it, she said “really? I can’t see any similarities”. I was 😱😱😱😱 I even asked if she’d remembered the correct book.

Although now she’s maybe changing after the neighbours appear to dislike her going to post letters even!

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