J. William Fulbright Quotes

We are a country that does better when we do debate and air our differences.

Unanimity of opinion is characteristic of savages and civilization only advances as more and more people have the right to call wrong what the majority calls right..

Democracy affords debate, discussion and dissent.

We think that a powerful and vigorous movement is impossible without differences — "true conformity" is possible only in the cemetery.

To Confucius, harmony was consensus, not conformity. It required loyal opposition.

Freedom rings where opinions clash.

I subscribe to the belief that there is no progress possible anywhere where the differences of people are stifled, their voices not able to be heard, and where they all speak as one voice, when all of us know that human beings don't feel that way.

Honest difference of views and honest debate are not disunity. They are the vital process of policy among free men.

… in many countries scholars are being sent into exile for racial, religious and political reasons, in increasing numbers .... It means that more and more people are growing afraid to face differences of opinion and yet it is increasingly important that throughout the world differing opinions should be listened to and weighed by the people as a whole.

But doing what I do, you will never get unanimity of people.

Opinions cannot survive if one has no chance to fight for them.

I don't feel that an atmosphere of debate and total disagreement and argument is such a bad thing. It makes for a vital and alive field.

And I think both the left and the right should celebrate people who have different opinions, and disagree with them, and argue with them, and differ with them, but don't just try to shut them up.

I like the noise of democracy.

There is nothing wrong with intellectual differences flowing from freedom of thought as long as such differences remain confined to intellectual debates.

We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.

Deliberation and debate is the way you stir the soul of our democracy.

I think it's a good thing to have a lot of voices in the media, and I think, you know, let all flowers bloom.

Bring it on. Dissent is central to any democracy.

I am something of a contrarian, I suppose. I feel less comfortable when everybody agrees with me. I say, 'I better reexamine my position!' I probably believe that the worst opinions in my court have been unanimous. Because there's nobody on the other side pointing out all the flaws.

It is easy to believe in freedom of speech for those with whom we agree.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, which people don't seem to be shy about expressing.

So many differing opinions and philosophies... are rarely housed under the roof of a single magazine.

It is idle to await unanimity.

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