“I’ll shout it if they want: Down with isms! Up with a Left that is capable of thinking outside the box! In other words, I am more than completely cured of simplifications, of dividing the world into good and evil, of thinking in black and white. I have repented!”
- May 20, 1935 – May 13, 2025
- Uruguayan
- Politician, Former President of Uruguay, Former Guerrilla Fighter, Advocate for Simple Living
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Quote
“I’ll shout it if they want: Down with isms! Up with a Left that is capable of thinking outside the box! In other words, I am more than completely cured of simplifications, of dividing the world into good and evil, of thinking in black and white. I have repented!”
Explanation
In this quote, José Mujica rejects ideological rigidity and political dogmatism, making a passionate appeal for a more flexible, thoughtful, and nuanced Left. By declaring “Down with isms!” he distances himself from simplified, doctrinaire ideologies—whether Marxism, capitalism, or any other system that reduces complex realities into narrow worldviews. Mujica calls for a Left that “thinks outside the box,” embracing innovation, self-critique, and real-world relevance over orthodoxy.
The phrase “I have repented” underscores a personal transformation, acknowledging his own past inclination toward binary thinking—dividing the world into good and evil, black and white. His rejection of this mindset reflects maturity and experience, gained through decades of struggle, prison, and governance. It is not a betrayal of principles, but a deeper commitment to compassion, understanding, and political realism.
This quote resonates especially in polarized times, where ideological purity often overshadows practical solutions. Mujica reminds us that authentic progressivism must evolve, staying rooted in values but open to dialogue, complexity, and change. His message is not to abandon ideals, but to transcend slogans and see humanity in all its contradiction, choosing reflection over reflex.
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