"If you don't use your voice, someone else will…

“if you don’t use your voice, others will use your silence” (also “If you don’t use your voice, someone else will use your silence” and “If you don’t use your voice, they will use your silence”) is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying means that if you don’t speak up, others will speak up for you—and may not be speaking in favor of your interests. Authorship of the saying is unknown.

“Om du inte använder din röst kommer andra att använda din tystnad!” (translated from Swedish as “If you do not use your voice, others will use your silence!”) was posted on X/Twitter by Margot Wallström on May 19, 2014. The Swedish saying, shown in graffiti on a wall, was posted on X/Twitter by Lena Sundström on September 14, 2014.

“If you don’t use your voice, others will use your silence” was posted on X/Twitter by Mmabatho Montsho on October 19, 2014. “If you don’t use your voice, someone else will use your silence - VOTE” was posted on X/Twitter by Slauka on May 16, 2019. “If you don’t use your voice, they will use your silence” (shown on an image) was posted on Bluesky by jackbulkley.bsky.social on January 20, 2026.

X/Twitter
Margot Wallström
@margotwallstrom
Framtiden påverkar vi själva. Om du inte använder din röst kommer andra att använda din tystnad! Rösta för ett Europa mot nazism! #eupol14
{We influence the future ourselves. If you do not use your voice, others will use your silence! Vote for a Europe against Nazism! #eupol14}
4:42 PM · May 19, 2014

X/Twitter
MANGE
@annaa_magnusson
” om du inte använder din röst så kommer andra att använda din tystnad “
[” if you don’t use your voice, others will use your silence “]
3:46 PM · Sep 2, 2014

X/Twitter
Louise Gustafsson
@Lussan75
“Om du inte använder din röst, kommer andra att använda din tystnad”
Gå och rösta imorgon allihop! #val2014 #val
[“If you don’t use your voice, others will use your silence”
Go vote tomorrow, everyone! #val2014 #val]
1:51 PM · Sep 13, 2014

X/Twitter
Lena Sundström
@LenaSundstrom
“Om du inte använder din röst kommer andra att använda din tystnad.”
Idag är det maktgivarnas dag. Inte makthavarnas.
[“If you don’t use your voice, others will use your silence.”
Today is the day of those who give power. Not those who hold power.]
2:28 AM · Sep 14, 2014

X/Twitter
Mmabatho Montsho
@MmabathoMontsho
“If you don’t use your voice, others will use your silence”
11:50 AM · Oct 19, 2014

X/Twitter
Zainab
@zainab_h24
“If you don’t use your voice, others will use your silence.”
1:23 PM · May 6, 2015

X/Twitter
Vegard Hagen
@vegard_hagen
Swedish graffiti: “If you don’t use your voice, others will use your silence.”
5:51 PM · Sep 15, 2015

X/Twitter
Slauka
@slaukie
If you don’t use your voice, someone else will use your silence - VOTE.
2:27 AM · May 26, 2019

Facebook
Rick Singh
August 28, 2024 at 11:39 AM ·
**If You Don’t Use Your Voice, Someone Else Will Use Your Silence**
(This is also shown on an image.—ed.)

Bluesky
Inge Richter
@ingerichter.bsky.social
Vote. Vote wisely. 🤗
In caps, white on blackboard:
[If you don’t use your voice, someone else will use your silence
ALT]
4:46 AM · Sep 12, 2024

Bluesky
Humor Satire Memes
@funnysnarkyjoke.bsky.social
[Protest sign says ‘IF YOU DON’T USE YOUR VOICE OTHERS WILL USE YOURŞILENC YOUR SILENCE’
ALT]
12:51 PM · May 2, 2025

Bluesky
jackbulkley.bsky.social
@jackbulkley.bsky.social
Here is one way to use your voice: 5calls.org
[If you don’t use your voice, they will use your silence.
ALT]
10:58 AM · Jan 20, 2026

X/Twitter
Mimi 🇫🇷🇪🇺
@FacciniMyriam
If you don’t use your voice .
Others will use your silence.
5:03 AM · Feb 27, 2026

X/Twitter
MeemaSue6isTrueBlue
@841920Meema6
“Be Quiet!” Trump Snaps
No-Speak Out!
No politician, journalist or any of US can afford to remain quiet as the #TrumpRegime seeks to silence dissent
“If you don’t use your voice?
Someone else will use your silence”
Your vote is your voice-Never silence it
https://open.substack.com/pub/america/p/be-quiet-trump-snaps-no-speak-up?r=x9iw&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
9:09 AM · Aug 21, 2026

X/Twitter
BoehlertMediaBusters
@MediaBusters6
Today is #NationalVoterRegistrationDay
We the People have 3 Powers:
1-Our Voices- If you don’t use your voice, they will use your silence
2-Our Purses-Support companies that treat their workers & consumers with respect
3-Our Votes- Every seat at every level matters
#VoteBlue2026
8:49 AM · Sep 15, 2026
·
Facebook
Kolana Montoya
September 22, 2026 at 2:32 PM ·
“If you don’t use your voice, they will use your silence.”