"Freedom to learn is the first necessity of guaranteeing that man himself shall be self-reliant enough to be free. Such things did not need as much emphasis a generation ago, but when the clock of civilization can be turned back by burning libraries, by exiling scientists, artists, musicians, writers and teachers; by disbursing universities, and by censoring news and literature and art; an added burden, an added burden is placed on those countries where the courts of free thought and free learning still burn bright. If the fires of freedom and civil liberties burn low in other lands they must be made brighter in our own. If in other lands the press and books and literature of all kinds are censored, we must redouble our efforts here to keep them free. If in other lands the eternal truths of the past are threatened by intolerance we must provide a safe place for their perpetuation."
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Lawyers from New York (state)Politicians from New York CityFranklin D. RooseveltUnited States presidential candidates, 1944United States presidential candidates, 1940
Original Language: English
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Sources
Address to the National Education Association (30 June 1938)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Franklin_D._Roosevelt
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