Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): Morality and Ethics Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Article.Sentence) or (Preamble.Sentence)

Quote #4

[Education] shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. (26.5)

The idea of a "moral education" has been around for centuries, but in 1948, this point was especially powerful. Modern advancements in science and technology had just been used to conduct the bloodiest war of all time. To make the world truly free, the declaration argues, education has to include an appreciation of the cultures of other countries so we'll be less likely to kill each other because of different political, social, or religious beliefs. In other words, education is lots more than just job training.

Quote #5

Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible. (29.1)

Some critics of the UDHR say that it promises too much. This penultimate article turns the focus back on the people. Everyone has a responsibility to support human rights by contributing to the social and economic development of their communities. It's basically arguing that you can't have a moral and just world or nation without everyone buying into the concept and doing something about it. You know how they say that if you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem? This is kind of what the declaration is talking about here.