Standing Up Quotes

“It’s not unpatriotic to denounce an injustice committed on our behalf, perhaps it’s the most patriotic thing we can do.”
― E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly

“There's a type of person who thinks he's getting away with something by not believing in anything. But not believing in anything IS believing in something. It's active, not passive. To believe in nothing is to change nothing. It means you're endorsing the present, and the present is a horror[...] Irreverence is the ultimate luxury item.”
― Lindy West, The Witches Are Coming

“What they don’t tell you
about standing up for what you believe in
is that your feet will bruise
and your legs will ache.”
― Ashe Vernon

“Someone will always pop up to say, "You would be more effective if you were nicer." "You would have a more receptive audience if you adjusted your tone." "You catch more flies with honey." Well, I don't want flies. The most likable woman in the world is crawling with fucking flies.”
― Lindy West, The Witches Are Coming

“Once you reject fear, you will become the perfect candidate to receive and reflect Truth.”
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem

“Stand up for your conscience. Use light to reveal what is concealed in the darkness. Use truth to fight the lies, and the heart to fight the mind.”
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem

“Stand up for what is right even if you're standing alone.”
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem

“If a fight looks like a lot of fun, you should be suspicious. 'If you ain't scared of standing up for what's right, you ain't standing up for much.”
― Kenneth Logan, True Letters from a Fictional Life

“She seems to always get it
To have become adept at empathy
Always giving excuses for people who’ve aggrieved her
To the point it’s hard for her to hit back when necessary
All because she assumes she ‘understands’
Then, one day . . .
She finally stands up for herself
At that moment, she revels in the natural instinct of self-preservation
She realises all this while the power she’s been withholding
In a transcendent moment of epiphany
It’s all beautiful ‘cause
Now, she can get back to empathy with understanding, rather, than without.”
― Ufuoma Apoki

“On n'abdique pas l'honneur d'être une cible.”
― Edmond Rostand 1868-1918, Cyrano De Bergerac

“Life is painful but if you fall because your troubles and give up you are letting them win”
― Joyce Guo

“He who stands by his heart has God in him. Our conscience is what unites us with God.”
― Suzy Kassem

“We can't always be the bridge. Sometimes we have to be the flooding river.”
― K. Weikel, The One-Hundred

“Light is prettiest in the dark.”
― Joyce Rachelle

“A bully is nothing more than a bunch of bull with a Y attached to its rear.”
― Lorin Morgan-Richards, The Goodbye Family Unveiled

“It began as a flicker in her mind. Just a glint in a place still ruled by childish thoughts and fantasies. Yet that single spark ignited something, and the ensuing flame rushed forth with such speed and intensity that she was momentarily frightened it would swallow her whole. But there was no fighting it. It indeed devoured her, as well as everything else in its path. In the brief passage of an instant, the young girl’s tiny form was filled to the brim with brilliant, searing, blinding rage.”
― Obie Williams, The Crimes of Orphans

“Whenever you stand up
For your conscience,
Be prepared to be hated
By the wicked.
But never, ever, let that scare you;
For whenever you
Stand up for God,
By him,
You are loved.


TRUTH by Suzy Kassem
THE SPRING FOR WISDOM, 1993”
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem

“We cannot pander or wait for consensus; the world is too big and complicated and rigged. We are saying the things that people don't like.”
― Lindy West, The Witches Are Coming

“Stand up and let the world hear your roar, now spread your wings and begin to soar.”
― Mya Waechtler

“What we see far too little of today is people who identify as Christians, standing up to the hate-mongers and death-dealers who have been hijacking their religion and using it as a murder weapon. The question is just begging to be asked: are they afraid? Or are they just not interested because they feel it somehow does not affect them.”
― Christina Engela, Blachart

“You are simple, brave, and honest. With training, you could be excellent warriors."
"Not me," said Annie. "I don't like to fight."
"Sometimes one must fight for the right things," said the emperor.
"Like what?" said Jack.
"Freedom and justice," and the emperor. "Truth.”
― Mary Pope Osborne, Warriors in Winter

“A mirror is fragile but not afraid of showing the truth.”
― Amit Kalantri, Wealth of Words

“Keep your head down only when you help to stand up.”
― Tamerlan Kuzgov

“What we see far too little of today is people who identify as Christians, standing up to the hate-mongers and death-dealers who have been hijacking their religion and using it as a murder weapon. The question is just begging to be asked: are they afraid? Or are they just not interested because they feel it somehow does not affect them?”
― Christina Engela

“[I]n his last few moments of humanity, he was just a boy. A boy who had taken a stand against everything he feared, and had finally been set free.”
― Obie Williams, The Crimes of Orphans

“I thought the only threat against us came from the rogue noblemen who are plotting a revolt under our very noses. Not the Aveyonian commoners you've spent weeks assuring us are content, happy even."
Bastien eyed her as though seeing her in a new light. "Threats can take many forms, madame. It would not be prudent in times like these to invite them into your home."
"If we are willing to open our doors to the rich, then we must also be willing to open our doors to the poor. You speak as though wealth precludes someone from committing a crime, and that has not been true in my experience."
"I think I speak for everyone, the king included, when I say you are perhaps not thinking clearly."
"And I speak for myself alone when I say you're wrong. Do you forget that I am a commoner? That I grew up in a poor village with the very people you seek to malign? I do not fear them in the same way I fear a rich man who believes justice is a fluid concept and that innocence can be bought." She let them sit with what she had said for a few moments before continuing. "I called this meeting as a courtesy. This is how I envision the salon, and I believe it will be beneficial for all the people of our kingdom. You still get the prestige-raising, economy-boosting aspects, only now the doors are open for everyone. If you cannot abide by that, then I suggest you remain in your estates for the duration." If she had ruffled the feathers of the advisers before, it was nothing compared to how they viewed her now. "All in favor of the amendment to the salon?" They mutely assented with barely raised hands, but it was enough. In a way, it seemed they almost feared her. No one protested or voiced any concerns, and the meeting ended in near silence. She would take their unease over their disdain. She thought perhaps it was time for men like them to fear what a woman could do.”
― Emma Theriault, Rebel Rose

“I beat them while sitting down. Now that I am standing up, where are they?”
― DON SANTO

“Nothing you have done and nothing you could do would excuse any man’s hands on you out of anger. Remember that, Lily.”
― Colleen Hoover

“I’ve noticed this especially with some men who seem to think Trump’s behavior, the bullying, and the putting people down is a sign of strength. I am here to tell you that is not what real strength is. It never has been. Real strength is about working hard and carrying a heavy load without complaining. Real strength is about taking responsibility for your actions and telling the truth, even when it’s inconvenient. Real strength is about helping people who need it and standing up for those who can’t always stand up for themselves.”
― Barack Obama

“Cindy Divine rushed out of her first-period classroom at Calloway County Middle School. Betty Sue Bowling, her English teacher, rushed to the doorway and ordered her back to the classroom. Cindy ignored her as she ran to the nearest fire alarm and pulled the handle. A screeching blare flooded the classrooms and hallways.”
― Shafter Bailey, Cindy Divine: The Little Girl Who Frightened Kings