“And from that day onward he:
- Will not henceforth write, sign, or print in any way a single phrase which in his opinion distorts the truth.
- Will utter such a phrase neither in private conversation not in the presence of many people, neither on his own behalf not at the prompting of someone else, either in the role of agitator, teacher, educator, not in a theatrical role.
- Will not depict, foster or broadcast a single idea which he can only see is false or a distortion of the truth whether it be in painting, sculpture, photography, technical science, or music.
- Will not cite out of context, either orally or written, a single quotation so as to please someone, to feather his own nest, to achieve success in his work, if he does not share completely the idea which is quoted, or if it does not accurately reflect the matter at issue.
- Will not allow himself to be compelled to attend demonstrations or meetings if they are contrary to his desire or will, will neither take into hand not raise into the air a poster or slogan which he does not completely accept.
- Will not raise his hand to vote for a proposal with which he does not sincerely sympathize, will vote neither openly nor secretly for a person whom he considers unworthy or of doubtful abilities.
- Will not allow himself to be dragged to a meeting where there can be expected a forced or distorted discussion of a question.
- Will immediately talk out of a meeting, session, lecture, performance or film showing if he hears a speaker tell lies, or purvey ideological nonsense or shameless propaganda.
- Will not subscribe to or buy a newspaper or magazine in which information is distorted and primary facts are concealed.”
– Alexander Solzhenitsyn, “Live Not By Lies”, Feb. 1974.
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“I try to sum up how far I got with my own decisions around 1959 … I point out five
decisions here.
- I break with the Communist Party.
- I do not emigrate.
- Research and not politics will be my profession. I do not undertake the heroic, illegal forms of struggle against the communist regime. I wish to contribute to the renewal with the help of my scientific activity.
- I break with Marxism.
- I acquire the fundamentals of modern economics. I wish to belong to the community of the western economists, relying on my studies and researches.”
– János Kornai, “By Force of Thought: Irregular Memoirs”, 2005.
