Portrait of Richard Stallman

Richard Stallman

Free software zealot, eccentric habits

Contemporary weird famous 227 sayings

Sayings by Richard Stallman

When I say free software, I'm talking about freedom, not price.

late 1980s onwards — Various speeches and essays
Justice & Rights Unverifiable

If you give up your freedom for security, you deserve neither.

Various — Often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, but Stallman frequently uses it in his talks on digital freed…
Justice & Rights Unverifiable

I consider the idea of an 'intellectual property right' to be a load of hogwash.

2008 — Interview with The Guardian
Educational Unverifiable

Proprietary software is a social problem, and it's a moral problem.

2007 — Speech at Transmediale festival
Wisdom Unverifiable

If a program is useful, people will want to use it; if a program is useful and free, people will want to use it more.

1985 — The GNU Manifesto
Wisdom Unverifiable

The internet is a trap. It's a way for companies to collect data on you and control your life.

2013 — Interview with The Verge
Power & Leadership Unverifiable

Sharing is good, and proprietary software is evil.

early 2000s onwards — Various speeches
Life & Death Unverifiable

The idea of 'cloud computing' is a trap. It's about giving up your freedom and control.

2008 — Speech at Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm
Justice & Rights Unverifiable

Using proprietary software is like letting someone put chains on you.

early 2000s onwards — Various speeches
Wisdom Unverifiable

I refuse to use any software that isn't free. That means no Google, no Facebook, no Amazon.

2013 — Interview with The Verge
Wisdom Unverifiable

The only way to have ethical software is to have free software.

late 1980s onwards — Various speeches and essays
Wisdom Unverifiable

I don't use a credit card. I don't want to be tracked.

2008 — Interview with The Guardian
Wisdom Unverifiable

The digital age is a dangerous age if we don't fight for our freedom.

2007 — Speech at Transmediale festival
War & Conflict Unverifiable

Proprietary software is an injustice.

early 2000s onwards — Various speeches and essays
Justice & Rights Confirmed

I don't believe in intellectual property. I believe in copyright and patent, but not 'intellectual property'.

2008 — Interview with The Guardian
Educational Unverifiable

The term 'open source' is a betrayal of the free software movement.

1999 — Essay: 'Why Open Source Misses the Point of Free Software'
Wisdom Unverifiable

The only way to be a good neighbor is to share your software.

early 2000s onwards — Various speeches
Wisdom Unverifiable

I don't use a smart phone. I use a 'dumb phone' that only makes calls.

2013 — Interview with The Verge
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

Proprietary software is a tool of oppression.

early 2000s onwards — Various speeches and essays
Political Unverifiable

I don't use an operating system that isn't free. That means no Windows, no MacOS.

2008 — Interview with The Guardian
Nature & World Unverifiable
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