All Are Responsible Abraham Joshua Heschel

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In a free society, all are involved in what some are doing. Some are guilty; all are responsible.

Credit: Abraham Joshua Heschel

Comment:

This quote, which is a paraphrase of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel's words, means that while individuals may commit wrongful acts, the rest of society is not absolved of responsibility.

In a free society, everyone is implicitly involved in creating the conditions, systems, and norms that can allow or even encourage certain actions to occur.

Therefore, while individuals are guilty of their own actions, all are responsible for creating and maintaining a society that does not tolerate injustice.

Source: New York City Town Hall speech (1966)


Image Credits: Pixabay (Pixabay)

Conversational Leadership Workshop
In-person, 7–11 September 2026, Warbrook House, Hampshire, UK

We are living and working in conditions of uncertainty, complexity, and rapid change. Many leadership approaches still rely on control, expertise, and tools that no longer fit the realities people face.

This week-long immersive workshop brings people together to practise Conversational Leadership as a shared, lived experience. It is not a training course but a space to slow down, think together, and explore how leadership emerges through dialogue, responsibility, and real engagement.

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This quotation is part of a  blook on Conversational Leadership. It is one of many quotations that have influenced my thinking on the subject. Parts of this blook have restricted access. You may browse the pages open to you, but you will need to register and be approved before you can login and access the full site. When you register, you may also sign-up to receive a quotation of the day by email.

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