The Paradox of Tolerance

Tolerance is one of civilization's greatest strengths -- and its most dangerous weakness.

Karl Popper warned that if a society is tolerant without limit, the intolerant will use that very tolerance to destroy it.

That paradox still defines our age.

We have mistaken silence for civility. We have confused passivity with peace.

But when intolerance is protected, tolerance becomes the casualty.

To remain tolerant, we must be willing to draw boundaries -- not out of hatred, but out of love for the open world that tolerance makes possible.

True tolerance does not mean everything goes.

It means we protect the space where honesty and compassion can breathe.

If civilization has a duty, it is this:

Never tolerate what would end tolerance itself.

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The Open Society

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