Quote

The test of democracy is freedom of criticism.

David Ben-Gurion

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

David Ben-Gurion
Age: 87 †
Born: 1886
Born: October 16
Died: 1973
Died: December 1
Politician
Statesman
Trade Unionist
Dominion of Canada
David Grün
Ben-Gurion
Censorship
Feminism
Test
Tests
Criticism
Democracy
Freedom

More quotes by David Ben-Gurion

Image
It is in the Negev that the creativity and pioneer vigor of Israel shall be tested.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
Everybody sees a difficulty in the question of relations between Arabs and Jews. But not everybody sees that there is no solution to this question. No solution! There is a gulf, and nothing can bridge it... We, as a nation, want this country to be ours the Arabs, as a nation, want this country to be theirs.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
We don't consider manual work as a curse, or a bitter necessity, not even as a means of making a living. We consider it as a high human function, as the basis of human life, the most dignified thing in the life of the human being, and which ought to be free, creative. Men ought to be proud of it.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
It's not a matter of maintaining the status quo. We have to create a dynamic state, oriented towards expansion.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
We will make a great and awful mistake if we fail to settle Hebron, neighbor and predecessor of Jerusalem, with a large Jewish settlement, constantly growing and expanding, very soon. This will also be a blessing to the Arab neighbors. Hebron is worthy to be Jerusalem's sister.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
If I knew that it was possible to save all the children of Germany by transporting them to England, and only half by transferring them to the Land of Israel, I would choose the latter, for before us lies not only the numbers of these children but the historical reckoning of the people of Israel.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
The most dangerous enemy to Israel's security is the intellectual inertia of those who are responsible for security.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
From Jewish terrorism against Arabs it is a short step to Jewish terrorism against Jews.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
To shatter even the largest stones on earth, it takes only a small quantity of explosive powder.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
We must assist the British in the war as if there were no White Paper and we must resist the White Paper as if there were no war.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
We must do everything to ensure they [the Palestinian refugees] never do return
David Ben-Gurion
Image
If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
Let us not ignore the truth among ourselves ... politically we are the aggressors and they defend themselves... The country is theirs, because they inhabit it, whereas we want to come here and settle down, and in their view we want to take away from them their country.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
It is only in Hebrew that you feel the full meaning of it -- all the associations which a different word has.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
We offer peace and neighborliness to all the neighboring states and their peoples, and invite them to cooperate with the independent Hebrew nation for the common good of all.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
After eighty, there are no enemies, only survivors.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
The great Jewish scientists and philosophers of the last few generations - Spinoza, Einstein, Freud, Robert Oppenheimer and others - were natives of Europe and America.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
You must talk to us as equals, or not talk to us at all.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
In the midst of wanton aggression, we still call upon the Arab inhabitants of the State of Israel to return to the ways of peace and play their part in the development of the State, with full and equal citizenship and due representation in its bodies and institutions - provisional or permanent.
David Ben-Gurion
Image
If the antisemites want to hate, let them hate, and let them go to hell.
David Ben-Gurion