The Dissident

Václav Havel

The dissident does not operate in the realm of genuine power at all. He is not seeking power. He has no desire for office and does not gather votes. He does not attempt to charm the public, he offers nothing and promises nothing. He can offer, if anything, only his own skin-and he offers it solely because he has no other way of affirming the truth he stands for. His actions simply articulate his dignity as a citizen, regardless of the cost.

Citation here. I orginally saw it here. I still don't know the original context. Margo Kingston presents it thus:

Czech President and freedom fighter, Vaclav Havel, says this about power in society: "The [net activist] dissident does not operate in the realm of genuine power at all. His actions simply articulate his dignity as a citizen, regardless of the cost."

She must be referring to Tim Blair.