Tear Down This Wall: Freedom and Tyranny Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)

Quote #4

I believe there's something deeper, something that involved Berlin's whole look and feel and way of life—not mere sentiment…. Something that speaks with a powerful voice of affirmation, that says yes to this city, yes to the future, yes to freedom. In a word, I would submit that what keeps you in Berlin is love—love both profound and abiding. (113-17)

Reagan makes it sound like freedom is all tied up with the future, with love (both profound and abiding), and with the city of Berlin itself. Ergo, anyone who doesn't agree with the Western definition of freedom must also hate the future, Berlin, and love. Who hates love? Tyrants, that's who.

Quote #5

Yes, across Europe, this wall will fall. For it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom. (126-28)

Actually, unless faith, truth and freedom suddenly turned into rocks, chisels, and heavy machinery, the wall probably could withstand them. But it (and its tyrant builders) couldn't withstand the people driven by faith, truth, and freedom, and we're pretty sure that's the message Reagan was going for here.