Text
I do not choose to be a common man.
It is my right to be uncommon... If I can.
I seek opportunity... not security.
I do not wish to be a kept citizen,
Humbled and dulled by having the State look after me.
I want to take the calculated risk,
To dream and to build. To fail and to succeed.
I refuse to barter incentive for a dole;
I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; The thrill of fulfillment to the
stale calm of Utopia.
I will not trade freedom for beneficence.
Nor my dignity for a handout.
I will never cower before any master.
Nor bend to any threat.
It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid;
To think and act for myself,
To enjoy the benefit of my creations,
And to face the world boldly and say:
This, with God’s help, I have done.
All this is what it means to be Alive.
—Brian Dang
*The “manifesto” text is vaguely attributed to Dean Alfange (~1950s), which gets subsequently bastardized by many groups in following decades including entrepreneurs, dentists, farmers, and lawyers. The last word is usually substituted.