Freedom of Speech - A Few Thoughts

A few couplets about freedom of speech:

Try to be kind.
• Kind people try not to offend others.
• Just because it is true does not mean it must be said.

Say what must be said.
• Giving offense sometimes is unavoidable.
• When a truth must be spoken, it is irrelevant that some may find it offensive.

Speaking truth is more important than worry about how it will be received.
• Some portray themselves as offended in order to manipulate others. These are tyrants and should be given no consideration.
• Fear of giving offense must never constrain legitimate freedom of expression.

Tolerate differences, reject lies.
• Differences of opinion are normal.  In a free society, we respect differences of opinion. 
• Misrepresentations of fact are a threat to freedom and must be exposed.  When a result of ignorance, they must be corrected.  When a result of deception, they must be condemned.

'Freedom of Speech'
from the Four Freedoms series
by Norman Rockwell (1943)

"The Truth Will Set You Free."

Gryphem