Ruhollah Khomeini Quotes

Freedom of expression is the foundation of a civil society …. This will come.

The community which does not protect its humblest and most hated member in the free utterance of his opinions, no matter how false or hateful, is only a gang of slaves. If there is anything in the universe that can't stand discussion, let it crack.

The First Amendment provides the only kind of security system that can preserve a free government - one that leaves the way wide open for people to favor, discuss, advocate, or incite causes and doctrines however obnoxious and antagonistic such views may be to the rest of us.

One has the right to be wrong in a democracy.

I'm a big advocate of freedom: freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of thought.

Democracy affords debate, discussion and dissent.

Shame! Shame on this House! A civilized society does not stifle opposition. It meets it.

Every man has a right to be heard; but no man has the right to strangle democracy with a single set of vocal cords.

I can't emphasize how important free speech is to a liberal and free democracy.

Freedom of expression is very important.

American democracy is greater with free speech and open dialogue.

My grandfather wanted to remind us that freedom of expression is the fundamental ingredient for democracy, and all the rest is detail. It is the scaffolding around which every other freedom is based.

Freedom of opinion is a valuable asset in a democracy.

I believe in freedom of expression, and I believe that societies thrive when they permit freedom of expression.

Freedom of expression must be considered sacred and thought can only be corrected by counter thought.

I should be very sorry to see the United States holding anyone in confinement on account of any opinion that that person might hold. It is a fundamental tenet of our institutions that people have a right to believe what they want to believe and hold such opinions as they want to hold without having to answer to anyone for their private opinion.

But our society - unlike most in the world - presupposes that freedom and liberty are in a frame of reference that makes the individual, not government, the keeper of his tastes, beliefs, and ideas. That is the philosophy of the First Amendment; and it is this article of faith that sets us apart from most nations in the world.

Freedom to speak and write about public questions is as important to the life of our government as is the heart to the human body. In fact, this privilege is the heart of our government. If that heart be weakened, the result is debilitation; if it be stilled, the result is death.

Whatever doubt there may be as to the quality or purpose of our free speech we certainly have ample volumes in production.

The reason that democracies always defeat dictatorships is because they're open to debate. We should never allow Washington to say, 'Shut up, get in line and wave the flag.'

I call government that works the best for people open society, which is basically just another more general term for a democracy that is - you call it maybe a liberal democracy. It's not only majority rule but also respect for minorities and minority opinions and the rule of law. So it's really a sort of institutional democracy.

Democracy is not a Beloved Republic really, and never will be. But it is less hateful than other contemporary forms of government, and to that extent deserves our support.

They who most loudly clamour for liberty do not most liberally grant it.

In the most civilized and progressive countries freedom of discussion is recognized as a fundamental principle.

The only right we do not and should not have in a liberal democracy is a right not to be offended.