Skip to content

Paulo Freire Quotes

1921–1997 Brazil

Paulo Reglus Neves Freire (September 19, 1921 – May 2, 1997) was a Brazilian educator and theorist of critical pedagogy.

Brazil
Academics
Educators
Philosophers

Also known as: Pedagogy of the Oppressed

Random Paulo Freire quote

93 quotes

Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.

The Politics of Education (1985)

True solidarity is found only in the plenitude of this act of love, and in its existentiality, in its praxis.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

Only in the encounter of the people with the revolutionary leaders—in their communion, in their praxis—can this theory be built.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

The road to revolution involves openness to the people, not imperviousness to them; it involves communion with the people, not mistrust.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

It is accomplished by the oppressors depositing myths indispensable to the preservation of the status quo.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

The behavior of the oppressed is a prescribed behavior, following as it does the guidelines of the oppressor.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

Indeed, the interests of the oppressors lie in 'changing the consciousness of the oppressed, not the situation which oppresses them.'

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

Liberation is thus a childbirth, and a painful one.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

For them, having more is an inalienable right.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

Dialogue cannot exist, however, in the absence of a profound love for the world and its people.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

Education as the exercise of domination stimulates the credulity of the students.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

The unfinished character of human beings and the transformational character of reality necessitate that education be an ongoing activity.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

A deepened consciousness of their situation leads people to apprehend that situation as an historical reality susceptible of transformation."

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

Leaders who do not act dialogically, but insist on imposing their decisions, do not organize the people—they manipulate them. They do not liberate, nor are they liberated: they oppress.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

Liberation is a praxis: the action and reflection of men and women upon their world in order to transform it.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

Almost never do they realize that they, too, 'know things' they have learned in their relations with the world.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

Yet only through communication can human life hold meaning.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

The oppressors, who oppress, exploit, and rape by virtue of their power, cannot find in this power the strength to liberate either the oppressed or themselves.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

In the banking concept of education, knowledge is a gift bestowed by those who consider themselves knowledgeable upon those whom they consider to know nothing.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

The revolutionary's role is to liberate, and to be liberated, with the people—not to win them over.

Pedagogia do oprimido (Pedagogy of the Oppressed) (1968)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Paulo Freire (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.