speak truth to power
Defy the powerful
Speak truth to power is to voice honest criticism or unwelcome facts to those in authority, especially at personal risk.
The phrase implies moral courage—challenging the powerful rather than telling them what they want to hear: Whistleblowers speak truth to power.
It originated among Quakers in the 1950s and has become a rallying cry for activists and dissidents.
- braveryBoldness before danger
- moral courageStrength to act ethically
- justiceFair treatment under law
- social justiceFair distribution of opportunities
- whistleblowingExposing hidden wrongdoing internally
call out · persuasion · authority · morality · honesty · Quaker · protest · human dignity · dissent · standing up · oppression · dialogue · hierarchy · marginalization · fairness · civil disobedience · civil rights · Rosa Parks
speak truth to powerkeep quiet
Remain silent
bite one's tongue · look the other way · turn a blind eye · go along to get along · keep one's head down
speak truth to powersycophancy
Obsequious behavior toward authority
whitewash · sugarcoat · dissemble · toe the line · toady
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