Protest without purpose is a perversion of democratic privilege.
speech graduation wisdom
Edward W. Brooke
Wellesley College Commencement 1969, 1969
There is a narrow but distinct line between productive dissent and counter-productive disruption. It is possible to dissent without being destructive.
speech graduation wisdom
Edward W. Brooke
Wellesley College Commencement 1969, 1969
The right to protest exists to protect the powerless from the powerful. When protest itself becomes a form of power, it must be exercised with the same responsibility we demand of all power.
speech graduation responsibility
Edward W. Brooke
Wellesley College Commencement 1969, 1969
For peace is a process — a way of solving problems.
speech graduation patience
John F. Kennedy
American University Commencement 1963, 1963
The United States, as the world knows, will never start a war. We do not want a war. We do not now expect a war. This generation of Americans has already had enough — more than enough — of war and hate and oppression.
speech graduation courage
John F. Kennedy
American University Commencement 1963, 1963
Remember that every government service, every offer of government-financed security, is paid for in the loss of personal freedom.
speech graduation independence
Ronald Reagan
Eureka College Commencement 1957, 1957
This democracy of ours which sometimes we've treated so lightly, is more than ever a comfortable cloak, so let us not tear it asunder, for no man knows once it is destroyed where or when he will find its protective warmth again.
speech graduation responsibility
Ronald Reagan
Eureka College Commencement 1957, 1957
Throughout the world, mutual suspicions flourish in ignorance and misunderstanding. They can be dispelled only with knowledge and wisdom.
speech graduation empathy
Dwight Eisenhower
Penn State Commencement 1955, 1955
It's all baloney to talk about this younger generation winning the peace. We won't come to power for 20 years. The same generation that got us into this mess has got to get us out of it. What really matters is not what new thoughts we kids are thinking but what new thoughts you older guys are thinking.
speech graduation responsibility
Henry A. Wallace
Connecticut College Commencement 1943, 1943