The Zondervan Publishing House
Green Ribbon Campaign
for Responsibility in Free Speech
An Introduction to the Responsibility in Free Speech Campaign
An Introduction to the Responsibility in Free Speech Campaign
As the world's leading Christian publisher, Zondervan Publishing House recognizes that the right to free speech is one of the most important and fundamental rights of liberty. We support the right to free speech in all its forms. We also call for responsibility in exercising this right.
Good citizens know they're accountable for their actions (someone has said, "My right to swing my arm ends when my fist hits your nose"). There are those, however, who tend to forget that they also are held accountable for their words. That's how laws against libel and slander are sustained. Just as in life rules, limitations, and boundaries guard against physical anarchy (e.g., traffic laws, social graces), so too limitations exist to guard against verbal incivility.
Words have a power all their own. At Zondervan Publishing House we're in the business of publishing Life-Changing Words. Author Tim Stafford, in his book That's Not What I Meant!," says, "Words can hurt. Words can heal. Therefore it is of the utmost importance that we pay attention to our words."
The advent of the Internet has seen a staggering growth in the potential for the freedom of speech and expression to people throughout the world. Sadly, in some quarters, this same freedom is being abused and used irresponsibly as a smoke screen to communicate in a vulgar, profane, violent, and insulting manner.
Dr. Alan Keyes, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, says in his book, Our Character, Our Future, "Freedom requires that at the end of the day, we accept the constraint that is required...."
If you agree that the true right of free speech is accurately carried out when self-restraint is responsibly exercised, please display the Green Ribbon for Responsibility in Free Speech on your Web site. Thank you.
If you agree with this campaign and would like to identify with it, we encourage you to place this Green Ribbon graphic on your home page. Please access the GIF from your browser cache or use these links.
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Once you have secured the Green Ribbon icon, please point it back here by adding this HTML Anchor to your home page, http://www.zondervan.com/green.htm -
"From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him." King Solomon, Tenth century B.C., Proverbs 12:14, New International Version
"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." King Solomon, Tenth century B.C., Proverbs 12:18, New International Version
"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."King Solomon, Tenth century B.C., Proverbs 25:11, New International Version
"From his tongue flowed speech sweeter than honey." Homer, c.700 B.C., The Iliad, Book I, Line 249
"The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions."Confucius, 551-479 B.C., The Confucian Analects, Book 14:29
"Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men." Confucius, 551-479 B.C., The Confucian Analects, Book 20:3, iii
"I have often regretted my speech, never my silence." Publilius Syrus, First century B.C., Maxim 1070
"Speech is a mirror of the soul: as a man speaks, so is he." Publilius Syrus, First century B.C., Maxim 1073
"By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." Jesus, First century, Matthew 12:37 New International Version
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things." St. Paul, First century, Philippians 4:8
"...[S]et an example...in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." St. Paul, First century, I Timothy 4:12 New International Version
"Mend your speech a little, Lest you may mar your fortunes." William Shakespeare, 1564-1616, King Lear, Act I, Scene I, Line 79
"Good words are worth much, and cost little." George Herbert, 1593-1633, Jacula Prudentum, Number 155
"The pen is mightier than the sword." Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1803-1873, Richelieu, Act II, Scene II
"Well-timed silence hath more eloquence than speech." Martin Farquhar Tupper, 1810-1889, Proverbial Philosophy: Of Discretion
"The difference between the almost-right word and the right word is really a large matter -- it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning." Mark Twain, 1835-1910, Letter to George Bainton
