Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quoteShare via Email Print this Page Daily Quotes Archives2004-05-27 May 27, 2004The liberty of the press would be an empty sound, and no man would venture to write on any subject, however, pure his purpose, without an attorney at one elbow and a counsel at the other. From minds thus subdued by the fear of punishment, there could issue no works of genius to expand the empire of human reason.~ Thomas ErskineIt is impossible for ideas to compete in the marketplace if no forum for their presentation is provided or available.~ Thomas MannThe bourgeoisie is many times stronger than we. To give it the weapon of freedom of the press is to ease the enemy’s cause, to help the class enemy. We do not desire to end in suicide, so we will not do this.~ Vladimir Ilyich Lenin May 26, 2004Every compulsion is put upon writers to become safe, polite, obedient, and sterile. In protest, I declined election to the National Institute of Arts and Letters some years ago, and now I must decline the Pulitzer Prize.~ Sinclair LewisTo subject an artist’s work to a litmus test of political probity – and to punish institutions that will not carry out the mandate of the state – is to traffic in the thought control that gave us Stalinism and Nazism…~ Richard GoldsteinLimiting the freedom of news ‘just a little bit’ is in the same category within the classic example ‘a little bit pregnant.’~ Robert A. Heinlein May 25, 2004Political correctness is the natural continuum from the party line. What we are seeing once again is a self-appointed group of vigilantes imposing their views on others.~ Doris LessingTo be able to think freely, a man must be certain that no consequence will follow whatever he writes.~ Ernest RenanAll discussion, all debate, all dissidence tends to question and in consequence, to upset existing convictions; that is precisely its purpose and its justification.~ Judge Learned Hand May 24, 2004The Liberty of the press is the Palladium of all the civil, political and religious rights of an Englishman.~ JuniusThe legislature of the United States shall pass no law on the subject of religion nor touching or abridging the liberty of the press.~ Charles PinckneyIn order to enjoy the inestimable benefits that the liberty of the press ensures, it is necessary to submit to the inevitable evils it creates…~ Alexis de Tocqueville May 21, 2004The history of totalitarian regimes is reflected in the evolution and perfection of the instruments of terror and more especially the police.~ Carl J. FriedrichThere is no greater fallacy than the belief that aims and purposes are one thing, while methods and tactics are another… All human experience teaches that methods and means cannot be separated from the ultimate aim.~ Emma GoldmanIt is maintained that a society is free only when dissenting minorities have room to throw their weight around. As a matter of fact, a dissenting minority feels free only when it can impose its will on the majority: what it abominates most is the dissent of the majority.~ Eric Hoffer Previous week's quotes Next week's quotes Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print