Freedom of Expression Quotes

The average Jordanian has much in common with the average American in terms of the values that we share, the fact that we all value the family unit, our work ethic.

In those wretched countries where a man cannot call his tongue his own, he can scarce call anything his own.... Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.

This freedom of communication is indispensable for the development and extension of scientific knowledge, a consideration of much practical import. In the first instance it must be guaranteed by law. But laws alone cannot secure freedom of expression; in order that every man may present his views without penalty there must be a spirit of tolerance in the entire population. Such an ideal of external liberty can never be fully attained but must be sought unremittingly if scientific thought, and philosophical and creative thinking in general, are to be advanced as far as possible.

Printers are educated in the Belief that when Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick; and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter. Hence they cheerfully serve all contending Writers that pay them well, without regarding on which side they are of the Question in Dispute... .It is likewise as unreasonable what some assert, That Printers ought not to print anything but what they approve, since if all of that Business should make such a Resolution, and abide by it, an End would thereby be put to Free Writing, and the World would afterwards have nothing to read but what happen'd to be the Opinions of Printers.

In youth one believes in democracy, later on, one has to accept it.

Questioning is the great strength of democracy; the ability to doubt without losing face

If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal.

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

There is no "slippery slope" toward loss of liberty, only a long staircase where each step down must first be tolerated by the American people and their leaders.

Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among people.

Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost

You can kill a man, but you can't kill an idea.

Real liberty is neither found in despotism or the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments.

I have a personal belief that you never have to give up liberty for security. You can still provide security without sacrificing our Bill of Rights.

Let me make the songs of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws.

America is great precisely because it is an open society, and an open society recognizes that nobody is the ultimate arbiter — and that we may be wrong at times, even if we are powerful. We must be open to criticism and respect divergent and different views and interests.

Why should freedom of speech and freedom of the press be allowed? Why should a government which is doing what it believes is right allow itself to be criticized? It would not allow opposition by lethal weapons. Ideas are much more fatal things than guns.

If I had my choice I would kill every reporter in the world, but I am sure we would be getting reports from Hell before breakfast.

Give people control of the media and they will use it. Don’t give them control and you will lose it.

Democracy is beautiful in theory; in practice it is a fallacy.

Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas?

Iran is not ready for Western-style democracy.

Democracy is like a street car. You get off when you reach your destination.

I don't see how the study of language and literature can be separated from the question of free speech, which we all know is fundamental to our society.

The more a government strives to curtail freedom of speech, the more obstinately is it resisted; not indeed by the avaricious, ... but by those whom good education, sound morality, and virtue have rendered more free. Men in general are so constituted that there is nothing they will endure with so little patience as that views which they believe to be true should be counted crimes against the laws.