"There is no calamity which a great nation can invite which equals that which follows a supine submission to wrong and injustice and the consequent loss of national self-respect and honor, beneath which are shielded and defended a people's safety and greatness"

In this quote, Eldridge Cleaver is warning versus the threats of a nation blindly accepting and sending to misbehaviors and oppressions. He argues that this kind of passive behavior can lead to disastrous repercussions, even more so than any other calamity a country may face. Cleaver emphasizes the value of national self-esteem and honor, which he thinks are important for a nation's security and greatness. By permitting these worths to be jeopardized, a nation not only puts itself at risk, but also diminishes its own worth and capacity. Cleaver's words serve as a tip to always defend what is right and simply, and to never ever compromise one's concepts for the sake of benefit or peace.