Intolerance betrays want of faith in one’s cause.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Cultivate your own capabilities, your own style. Appreciate the members of your family for who they are, even though their outlook or style may be miles different from yours. Rabbits don’t fly. Eagles don’t swim. Ducks look funny trying to climb. Squirrels don’t have feathers. Stop comparing. There’s plenty of room in the forest.
—Chuck Swindoll (b.1934) American Evangelical Christian Pastor, Author
The responsibility of tolerance lies with those who have the wider vision.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
It is thus tolerance that is the source of peace, and intolerance that is the source of disorder and squabbling.
—Pierre Bayle (1647–1706) French Philosopher, Critic
Be entirely tolerant or not at all; follow the good path or the evil one. To stand at the crossroads requires more strength than you possess.
—Heinrich Heine (1797–1856) German Poet, Writer
Support the aged without reference to religion; respect the learned without reference to age.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
In university they don’t tell you that the greater part of the law is learning to tolerate fools.
—Doris Lessing (1919–2013) British Novelist, Poet
Through the centuries, the history of peoples is but a lesson in mutual tolerance.
—Emile Zola (1840–1902) French Novelist
Intolerance is the “Do Not Touch” sign on something that cannot bear touching. We do not mind having our hair ruffled, but we will not tolerate any familiarity with the toupee which covers our baldness.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
Before me, said the Lord, “there is no difference between Jew and Gentile; he that accomplishes good, will I reward accordingly”.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The highest result of education is tolerance. Long ago men fought and died for their faith; but it took ages to teach them the other kind of courage,—the courage to recognize the faiths of their brethren and their rights of conscience. Tolerance is the first principal of community; it is the spirit which conserves the best that all men think.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Leader, Civil Rights Advocate, Author
Intolerance is the most socially acceptable form of egotism, for it permits us to assume superiority without personal boasting.
—Sydney J. Harris (1917–86) American Essayist, Drama Critic
Tolerance is a very dull virtue. It is boring. Unlike love, it has always had a bad press. It is negative. It merely means putting up with people, being able to stand things.
—E. M. Forster (1879–1970) English Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist
Pass no rash condemnation on other peoples words or actions.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
The Lord who proclaimed the Law of Sinai is the God of all nations.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Nothing dies so hard, or rallies so often as intolerance.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
We need to promote greater tolerance and understanding among the peoples of the world. Nothing can be more dangerous to our efforts to build peace and development than a world divided along religious, ethnic or cultural lines. In each nation, and among all nations, we must work to promote unity based on our shared humanity.
—Kofi Annan (1938–2018) Ghanaian Statesman, International Diplomat
There is a limit at which forbearance ceases to be a virtue.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
If Woody Allen were a Muslim, he’d be dead by now.
—Salman Rushdie (b.1947) Indian-born British Novelist
Tolerance becomes a crime when applied to evil.
—Thomas Mann (1875–1955) German Novelist, Critic, Philanthropist, Essayist
Until you have learned to be tolerant with those who do not always agree with you; until you have cultivated the habit of saying some kind word of those whom you do not admire; until you have formed the habit of looking for the good instead of the bad there is in others, you will be neither successful nor happy.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Tolerance is the positive and cordial effort to understand another’s beliefs, practices, and habits without necessarily sharing or accepting them.
—Joshua L. Liebman (1907–48) American Rabbi, Author
Give to every other human being every right that you claim for yourself.
—Robert G. Ingersoll (1833–99) American Lawyer, Orator, Agnostic
When tolerance is not afforded to those so well-deserved, it speaks ill of the one who feels he cannot afford to give it.
—Unknown
How do we create a harmonious society out of so many kinds of people? The key is tolerance—the one value that is indispensable in creating community.
—Barbara Jordan (1936–96) American Lawyer, Educator, Politician
You’ve got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
Of people whose skin is a different shade.
You’ve got to be carefully taught.
—Oscar Hammerstein II (1895–1960) American Lyricist, Librettist
Tolerance is only another name for indifference.
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
The greatest problem in the world today is intolerance. Everyone is so intolerant of each other.
—Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–97) English Royal, Humanitarian, Peace Activist
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