John Wesley Quotes

... the greatest right in the world is the right to be wrong.

In a pluralistic society, no group, no matter how numerous or powerful, has a right to prescribe a set of beliefs or a code of ethics for all.

The sound of tireless voices is the price we pay for the right to hear the music of our own opinions.

I can walk into a bookshop and point out a number of books that I find very unattractive in what they say. But it doesn't occur to me to burn the bookshop down. If you don't like a book, read another book. If you start reading a book and you decide you don't like it, nobody is telling you to finish it.

I have no problem with someone who disagrees with my life. That's your right to feel that way.

It is setting a high value upon our opinions to roast men and women alive on account of them.

Our people should feel free to express diverse views, pursue unconventional ideas or simply be different.

People have the right to say what they want to.

I always think the true test of free speech is when someone says something you don't like.

In fact, I would defend to the death their right to express a different point of view.

Why can't everybody leave everybody else the hell alone.

The greatest right in the world is the right to be wrong.

A free society is a place where it's safe to be unpopular.

The recent ghastly strife and anger over the Danish cartoons shows the danger that comes from our failure to listen and to respect what is precious and sacred to others.

Being tolerant does not mean that I share another one’s belief. But it does mean that I acknowledge another one’s right to believe, and obey, his own conscience.

Every man has a right to utter what he thinks truth, and every other man has a right to knock him down for it.

Our institutions were not devised to bring about uniformity of opinion; if they had we might well abandon hope. It is important to remember, as has well been said, 'the essential characteristic of true liberty is that under its shelter many different types of life and character and opinion and belief can develop unmolested and unobstructed.’

Democracy depends on the idea that we hold each others’ right to express ourselves and be heard above our own desire to always get the outcomes we want. You can’t impose tolerance top-down.

Reasonable people can have differences.

I think a lot of problems in this world would stop if people could stay out of other people's business.

If our Hindu culture forbids beef meat, does the same culture give you the right to abuse me and my family just because I have an opinion that you don't agree with?

The unity of freedom has never relied on uniformity of opinion.

When I hear another express an opinion which is not mine, I say to myself, he has a right to his opinion, as I to mine. Why should I question it? His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixote, to bring all men by force of argument to one opinion? ...Be a listener only, keep within yourself, and endeavor to establish with yourself the habit of silence, especially in politics.

I don't want to go around making everyone else agree with me. I don't feel the need to do that.

Respect only has meaning as respect for those with whom I do not agree.