Aaron Swartz Quotes, born in Chicago, Illinois, was an American computer programmer, writer, and internet activist whose vision for an open, knowledge-driven world left a profound legacy. At 14, he co-developed RSS; at 19, he co-founded Reddit, and he helped shape Creative Commons and the Marshall Project. Swartz’s activism, notably his JSTOR data liberation effort, led to legal battles, reflecting his fight against knowledge privatization. His book, The Boy Who Could Change the World (2016), compiles his writings on justice and technology. These 15 quotes—sourced from his writings, speeches, and interviews—illuminate his thoughts on curiosity, justice, education, and the power of information, capturing his fearless, compassionate spirit.
15 Aaron Swartz Quotes
- “Information is power. But like all power, there are those who want to keep it for themselves.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Be curious. Read widely. Try new things. What people call intelligence just boils down to curiosity.” (Goodreads, n.d.)
- “Creativity comes from applying things you learn in other fields to the field you work in.” (Goodreads, n.d.)
- “There is no justice in following unjust laws. It’s time to come into the light and, in the grand tradition of civil disobedience, declare our opposition to this private theft of public culture.” (AZQuotes, 2016)
- “With enough of us, around the world, we’ll not just send a strong message opposing the privatization of knowledge—we’ll make it a thing of the past.” (AZQuotes, 2016)
- “Think deeply about things. Don’t just go along because that’s the way things are or that’s what your friends say. Consider the effects, consider the alternatives, but most importantly, just think.” (AZQuotes, 2016)
- “Real education is about genuine understanding and the ability to figure things out on your own; not about making sure every 7th grader has memorized all the facts some bureaucrats have put in the 7th grade curriculum.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I don’t want to be happy. I just want to change the world.” (InspiringQuotes.us, n.d.)
- “Life is short… so why waste it doing something dumb?” (InspiringQuotes.us, n.d.)
- “The world’s entire scientific and cultural heritage, published over centuries in books and journals, is increasingly being digitized and locked up by a handful of private corporations.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Assume nobody else has any idea what they’re doing, either.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Big stories need human stakes.” (BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “We need to download scientific journals and upload them to file-sharing networks.” (AZQuotes, 2016)
- “What is the most important thing you could be working on in the world right now? And if you’re not working on that, why aren’t you?” (InspiringQuotes.us, n.d.)
- “People shouldn’t be forced to categorize themselves as ‘gay,’ ‘straight,’ or ‘bi.’ People are just people.” (Goodreads, n.d.)
Aaron Swartz’s quotes burn with a fierce call to question, create, and fight for a just world, inspiring us to stay curious, challenge unjust systems, and make knowledge free for all. His legacy as a digital pioneer and activist, celebrated in posts found on X for its enduring impact, urges us to act with purpose. Which quote ignites your passion to learn, share, or change the world? Drop it in the comments and keep Swartz’s visionary spirit thriving!
Emma Thompson
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