All quotes

The general proposition that freedom of expression upon public questions is secured by the First Amendment has long been settled by our decisions.

Excitements, ideas, and efforts, in a word, are what carry us over the dam.

It is notorious that a single successful effort of moral volition, such as saying 'no' to some habitual temptation, or performing some courageous act, will launch a man on a higher level of energy for days and weeks, will give him a new range of power.

The normal opener of deeper and deeper levels of energy is the will.

The transformation, moreover, is a chronic one: the new level of energy becomes permanent.

Never suffer an exception to occur till the new habit is securely rooted in your life.

Ideal aspirations are not enough, when uncombined with pluck and will.

Convince me that liberty is not the inalienable birthright of every human being, of whatever complexion or clime, and I will give that instrument to the consuming fire.

Slavery cannot bear one ray of light, or the slightest criticism.

But a man at work, making something which he feels will exist because he is working at it and wills it, is exercising the energies of his mind and soul as well as of his body.

Nature does not give us our livelihood gratis; we must win it by toil of some sort or degree.

One's beliefs have long been thought to be sanctuaries which government could not invade.

Free speech has occupied an exalted position because of the high service it has given our society.

The right to speak freely and to promote diversity of ideas and programs is therefore one of the chief distinctions that sets us apart from totalitarian regimes.

The vitality of civil and political institutions in our society depends on free discussion.

Our duty is to cleanse, to reconsider, to restore, to correct the evil without impairing the good, to purify and humanize every process of our common life without weakening or sentimentalizing it.

The first duty of law is to keep sound the society it serves.

When the interests of mankind are at stake, they will obey with joy the man whom they believe to be wiser than themselves.

As indispensable to the preservation of our system of self-government, the independence of the representatives of the States and the people is guaranteed by the Constitution, and they owe no responsibility to any human power but their constituents.

By holding the representative responsible only to the people, and exempting him from all other influences, we elevate the character of the constituent and quicken his sense of responsibility to his country.