Famous Prejudice Quotes in English with Images

Here are some famous quotes about prejudice, along with explanations of their meanings and examples to help illustrate the messages behind them:

1. “Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible.” – Maya Angelou

• Meaning: This quote expresses how prejudice affects all aspects of time and society. Prejudice makes it hard to learn from the past, creates a fear of future progress, and stops people from connecting with others in the present.

• Example: A workplace where racial prejudice is prevalent may ignore the talents of diverse employees. This mindset harms both the company and the employees’ careers, disrupting growth and innovation.

2. “It is never too late to give up your prejudices.” – Henry David Thoreau

• Meaning: Thoreau encourages people to abandon their prejudices, no matter how long they've held them. There's always time to open one’s mind to new perspectives and change.

• Example: Imagine a person who grew up in a homogenous neighborhood and holds negative views about certain groups. Later in life, after interacting with people from diverse backgrounds, they choose to change their views, improving their relationships and outlook on life.

3. “Judgments prevent us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances.” – Wayne Dyer

• Meaning: Dyer points out that judgments, often based on prejudice, block us from seeing people for who they truly are. We miss out on their qualities because of surface-level assumptions.

• Example: A teacher might assume that a quiet student is disengaged. However, with more understanding, the teacher could discover that the student is highly intelligent and thoughtful, just shy in social settings.

4. “The very ink with which history is written is merely fluid prejudice.” – Mark Twain

• Meaning: Twain criticizes the way history has often been recorded with bias, showing how historical "facts" can be slanted by the prejudice of the times and the authors.

• Example: Many history textbooks once depicted colonialism positively, ignoring the exploitation and harm inflicted on native populations. Revisiting these narratives with less prejudice helps create a fuller, fairer history.

5. “To live anywhere in the world today and be against equality because of race or color is like living in Alaska and being against snow.” – William Faulkner

• Meaning: Faulkner humorously points out the absurdity of racial prejudice in a diverse world. Prejudice against natural human differences is as irrational as disliking snow in Alaska, where snow is an unavoidable part of life.

• Example: In a multicultural city, it would be irrational to harbor racial prejudice because the very foundation of that society is built on diversity. Embracing differences leads to a more cohesive community.

6. “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion.” – Nelson Mandela

• Meaning: Mandela highlights that prejudice is learned, not innate. People are not naturally inclined to hate others; they are taught these biases through their environment.

• Example: A child growing up in a community where diversity is celebrated will likely be more open-minded than a child in a community where certain groups are marginalized or criticized.

7. “Prejudice, not being founded on reason, cannot be removed by argument.” – Samuel Johnson

• Meaning: Johnson implies that prejudice is irrational, so reasoning alone can’t dispel it. Emotions and ingrained beliefs often override logical arguments.

• Example: A person who believes in stereotypes about a certain nationality might refuse to change their mind even when presented with counterexamples. Personal experience or emotional connections might be more effective in altering their viewpoint.

8. “Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It’s just plain wrong.” – Muhammad Ali

• Meaning: Ali asserts that prejudice is wrong regardless of the group holding it. Hatred based on skin color is unjust, no matter which group harbors it against another.

• Example: In a neighborhood with multiple cultural groups, any kind of racial or ethnic hatred can lead to community tension and violence. Accepting all colors equally leads to a safer, more supportive neighborhood.

9. “I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.” – Chief Joseph

• Meaning: Chief Joseph suggests that understanding and kindness can help overcome prejudice and prevent conflicts. Empathy creates connections that dispel misunderstandings.

• Example: If a manager goes out of their way to understand their employees’ different cultural backgrounds, it can create a more inclusive and respectful workplace, fostering unity and collaboration.

10. “Our prejudices are our robbers; they rob us of our humanity.” – Benjamin Disraeli

• Meaning: Disraeli notes that prejudice steals the empathy and understanding that make us human. By clinging to biases, we lose sight of what it means to be compassionate.

• Example: A person who looks down on another based on economic status may fail to see their shared human experiences. This outlook can prevent meaningful connections that enrich life and community.

These quotes emphasize the importance of shedding prejudice to foster understanding, kindness, and unity in society.