“Assassination is the extreme form of censorship.”
This powerful statement cuts directly to the heart of political violence. It reframes a brutal act not just as murder, but as the ultimate suppression of ideas. The author, George Bernard Shaw, was a master of such provocative insights. His words force us to look beyond the physical act. Instead, we must consider the intellectual void it creates. When you kill a person, you also attempt to kill their voice, their influence, and their message forever. This quote argues that assassination is not merely a crime of passion or politics; it is an attack on expression itself.
Who Was George Bernard Shaw?
George Bernard Shaw was far more than just a playwright. He was an Irish critic, a political activist, and a co-founder of the London School of Economics. Born in Dublin in 1856, Shaw became a towering figure in Western theatre, literature, and politics. He wrote more than 60 plays during his lifetime. Furthermore, his work frequently explored complex social issues like class disparity, religion, and the rights of women. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925, a testament to his immense influence.
Shaw was a committed socialist and a prominent member of the Fabian Society. This group advocated for gradual, democratic social reform rather than revolutionary overthrow. Consequently, his worldview deeply shaped his writing. He used his sharp wit and intellectual prowess to challenge the conventions of his time. His plays and essays were his weapons against ignorance and injustice. Understanding Shaw’s background is key to grasping the depth of his famous quote on censorship.
The Origin of the Quote
The famous line originates from the preface to Shaw’s 1909 play, The Shewing-Up of Blanco Posnet. Source The play itself was a battleground for censorship. It tells the story of a horse thief in the American West who has a religious conversion. However, English censors banned the play from public performance. They objected to its portrayal of God and its perceived blasphemy. The Lord Chamberlain, who held the power to censor stage productions, deemed it unfit for the public.
Faced with this official suppression, Shaw wrote a scathing preface titled “The Rejected Statement.” In it, he defended his work and attacked the very concept of censorship. The quote about assassination appears in this context. He argues that the censor who silences an idea is on the same moral spectrum as the assassin who silences a person. Both seek to eliminate a voice they disagree with. For Shaw, the censor’s blue pencil and the assassin’s bullet were tools for the same ultimate goal: control over thought and expression.
Deconstructing the Meaning
At its core, the quote creates a powerful analogy. Censorship is the act of suppressing speech, art, or ideas that are considered objectionable. Assassination is the act of murdering someone, often a prominent figure, for political or ideological reasons. Shaw’s genius was connecting these two seemingly different acts. He posits that they are not different in kind, but only in degree.
Ordinary censorship tries to silence a message. For example, it might involve banning a book or cutting scenes from a film. The goal is to prevent an idea from reaching an audience. However, the idea itself might still survive. Assassination, in contrast, is a far more permanent solution. It removes the source of the ideas entirely. By killing the messenger, the assassin hopes to kill the message. Therefore, it represents the most final, irreversible, and extreme form of silencing dissent.
This perspective highlights the immense value of free expression. It suggests that the impulse to control and suppress ideas, if left unchecked, can lead down a path to horrific violence. When debate is no longer possible, and when words are seen as threats worthy of death, society is in grave danger. Shaw’s quote serves as a timeless warning against the perils of intolerance.
Enduring Relevance Today
Over a century later, Shaw’s words remain incredibly relevant. We continue to witness attempts to silence voices around the globe. Journalists, activists, and political opponents are often targeted for their work. Their reporting and criticism expose corruption or challenge authority. In many cases, this leads to imprisonment, threats, or even death. Each incident reinforces Shaw’s grim observation. These acts are not just murders; they are deliberate acts of censorship designed to instill fear and crush dissent.
The digital age has introduced new forms of censorship. Online harassment, de-platforming, and state-sponsored troll farms all aim to silence specific viewpoints. While different from physical violence, the underlying motive is often the same. The goal is to control the narrative by eliminating opposing voices. Shaw’s quote reminds us to remain vigilant against censorship in all its forms. Whether it comes from a government censor, a corporate policy, or a violent extremist, the fundamental threat to a free and open society remains the same.