Life is not a one-way street. What I do, what I say even what I think, inevitably has a direct effect on my relationships with others. I am certain that in the degree that my attitude towards others has given convincing proof of loyalty, sincerity, honesty, courtesy and fairness, I have encouraged in others the same attitude towards me. Respect begets respect, suspicion2 begets suspicion, hate begets hate. It has been well said that “The only way to have a friend is to be one.”
None of the blessings of our great American heritage of civil liberties is self executing. To make effective such things as brotherhood, kindliness, sympathy, human decency3, the freedom of opportunity, the very preciousness of life—to make these things real requires respect and constant vigilance. This is the core of my American Faith.
As I have said, I believe I must help to safeguard to all men free expression of their views even though I may be in disagreement with them. I must listen to and study responsible views; sometimes I will 1earn much from them. No individual and no natio