George Bernard ShawGeorge Bernard Shaw, (1856-1950) Irish comic dramatist

George Bernard Shaw Quote

“All censorships exist to prevent anyone from challenging current conceptions and existing institutions. All progress is initiated by challenging current conceptions, and executed by supplanting existing institutions. Consequently, the first condition of progress is the removal of censorships.”

George Bernard ShawGeorge Bernard Shaw
~ George Bernard Shaw

The Author’s Apology, 1902

Ratings and Comments


J. B. Wulff, Bristol, CT

GBS has been a guiding light for much of what transpires in the delightful heritage that we all consider to be mainstream. This is not to say that he has not produced some controversy. If he hadn't, no one would pay attention to anything he said. What constantly amazes me about our heritage is how smoothly it is portrayed. Generally it starts in "the fertile crescent" and progresses through Israel, the Phonecians, Greeks, Romans, Dark Ages, The UK, The USA, and now. Not to suggest that the USA is over, but to hint that another change is in the works even as we speak. Hopefully, it will not be the UN!

J Carlton, Calgary

I guess a complete black out of Ron Paul's overwhelming popularity in the straw polls and suppression of his Constitutional advocacy would be considered censorship. He completely challenges the current trend towards socialist globalism. They are definately afraid of that...

Waffler, Smith

The joy of having an open mind, or being open minded cannot be overstated. A censorship mentality is based on the idea of choosing sides and then closing ones mind.

GunnyCee, Durham

GBS was a strange duck to be sure, but he is right in saying that all censorship is all about preventing anyone from challenging the present administration and the current union thugs in charge of our government educational system. The trend toward globalized socialism must be stopped right here in the good ole U. S. of A., becuase if it succeeds here, there is no stopping it worldwide. The gloves are going to be coming off very soon as election time nears. Be ready for some truley bizzare things from the lefties in the comming months.

Anonymous, Rochester

Before you embrace George , you should know that he liked Mussolini and embraced Stalinism. In fact, he said the trouble with the Gulag was that it was too much like a vacation spa, and that you couldn't get people to come out. As far as this particular quote, remember that not all "progress" is good. Think of cancer. Maybe censorship isn't all bad. http://conservapedia.com/George_Bernard_Shaw

J Carlton, Calgary

Amen Gunny...that is exactly right.

Mike, Norwalk

some good comments, not shooting the messenger, Ron Paul's media black out is an excellent example of the quote's accuracy.

E Archer, NYC

Socialism gets its strength from Freedom of Speech -- it is how it became mainstream, and how, incidentally, the left has monopolized broadcast communications. Of course we see that censorship and propaganda is integral for maintaining a socialist order whether fascist or communist. The libs are the biggest censors in the nation -- they brought about such terms as 'hate speech' -- has anything but hatred for Liberty and Responsibility ever come out of their mouths? Hatred of those with more money, more property, more skills, more ingenuity -- "TAX 'EM!" or should I say "ROB THEM!"? And they hate most of all, Ron Paul -- why? Because he dares to expose the lies and corruption and blatant tactics to reduce America to a feudal state under the globalists. Americans are waking up, and even though the media is trying everything it can to ignore Ron Paul, his election would obviously challenge whatever the media is trying to keep under wraps.

warren, olathe

Applied to today it would be backwards. What has been considered existing institutions and conceptions is being censored and progress is through the drowning out of established wisdom for new age thought processes. New age progressivism has been around for over 100 years and is simply a form of Marxism. These extreme haters of American traditions and the constitution have been at it under various labels from liberal to progressive to democratic industrialism. All forms have as their goal the destruction of the free enterprise system in general and the U.S. constitution in particular. We have the biggest champion of these groups in the White House now and it is looking scary for all who love this country.

Byron, Fort Collins

Well said, Mike of Norwalk. The media ALL act as though Ron Paul did not exist.

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