Be As Courageous As You Can.

20 Lessons from the 20th Century: Excerpts from Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny.

Words that fit the times we live in. The quotes below and the 20 Lessons are excerpted directly from Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny (2017, Crown Publishing), except for words enclosed in [brackets]. Please buy the book and spend the one to two hours it will take to read it. 

A nationalist encourages us to be our worst, then tells us that we are the best…Nationalism is relativist, since the only truth is the resentment we feel toward others.

A patriot, by contrast, wants the nation to live up to its ideals, which means asking us to be our best selves…A patriot says that [the failure of democracy] could happen here, but that we will stop it.

20 Lessons:

1 | Do not obey in advance. 

Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given.

2 | Defend institutions.

…choose an institution you care about…and take its side. 

3 | Beware the one-party state. 

Vote in local and state elections when you can. Consider running for office. 

4 | Take responsibility for the face of the world.  

The symbols of today enable the reality of tomorrow. 

5 | Remember professional ethics.  

Authoritarians need obedient civil servants and concentration camp directors seek businessmen interested in cheap labor. 

6 | Be wary of paramilitaries.

When the pro-leader paramilitary and the official police and military intermingle, the end has come. 

7 | Be reflective if you must be armed.

….evils of the past involve policemen and soldiers finding themselves, one day, doing irregular things. Be ready to say no. 

8 | Stand out.

The moment you set an example, the spell of the status quo is broken, and others will follow. 

9 | Be kind to our language.

Think up your own way of speaking, even if only to convey the thing that you think everyone is saying.

10 | Believe in truth.  

To abandon facts is to abandon truth. 

11 | Investigate.

Figure things out for yourself. 

12 | Make eye contact and small talk. 

It is part of being a citizen and a responsible member of society. 

13 | Practice corporeal politics.

Put your body in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people. Make new friends and march with them. 

14 | Establish a private life. 

Tyrants seek the hook on which to hang you. Try not to have hooks. 

15 | Contribute to good causes.  

16 | Learn from peers in other countries.   

17 | Listen for dangerous words. 

18 | Be calm when the unthinkable arrives. 

19 | Be a patriot.

Set a good example of what America means... 

20 | Be as courageous as you can.

If none of us is prepared to die for freedom, then all of us will die under tyranny.