A reader named Mike Baker handed me a huge collection of quotes, organized by topic. Here are the quotes he collected on the topic of tolerance:
“Human diversity makes tolerance more than a virtue; it makes it a requirement for survival.”
~ René Dubos
Without tolerance, our world turns into hell. ~ Friedrich Durrenmatt
Anger and intolerance are the twin enemies of correct understanding. ~ Mohandas Gandhi
I have learnt silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strange, I am ungrateful to these teachers. ~ Kahlil Gibran (1883 – 1931)
Tolerance and celebration of individual differences is the fire that fuels lasting love.
— Tom Hannah
The remarkable thing is that we really love our neighbor as ourselves: we do unto others as we do unto ourselves. We hate others when we hate ourselves. We are tolerant toward others when we tolerate ourselves. We forgive others when we forgive ourselves. — Eric Hoffer
I never will, by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others. — Thomas Jefferson
“Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.” — John F. Kennedy
Tolerance is the positive and cordial effort to understand another’s beliefs, practices, and habits without necessarily sharing or accepting them. — Joshua Liebman
No human trait deserves less tolerance in everyday life….. than intolerance.
— Giacomo Leopardi
Let us not speak of tolerance. This negative word implies grudging concessions by smug consciences. Rather, let us speak of mutual understanding and mutual respect.
— Father Dominique Pire
We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant.
— Karl Popper
“If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships – the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace.”
— Franklin Roosevelt
Tolerance is the oil which takes the friction out of life. — Wilbert E. Scheer
In every country and every age, the priest had been hostile to Liberty. ~Thomas Jefferson
I continue to have a hard time with “tolerance.” The nature of the word implies a superiority.
I prefer acceptance, but I tolerate “tolerance”.
Jim: I will tolerate your acceptance, since you accept my tolerance.