Thurgood Marshall Quotes

The right to free speech is critical to our democracy.

Freedom of speech is central to most every other right that we hold dear in the United States and serves to strengthen the democracy of our great country. It is unfortunate, then, when actions occur that might be interpreted as contrary to this honored tenet.

Freedom of expression is the matrix, the indispensable condition of nearly every other form of freedom.

Freedom of speech is the great bulwark of liberty; they prosper and die together.

Free speech is one of the founding principles of our republic.

It is called the First Amendment. ...Simple words marching in seried ranks. Compact, concise. To the point. Clear and pure. It's freedom's music.

Free speech is life itself.

The freedom of speech and the freedom of press, it's just precious man, it really is.

The nation relies upon public discussion as one of the indispensable means to attain correct solutions to problems of social welfare. Curtailment of free speech limits this open discussion. Our whole history teaches that adjustment of social relations through reason is possible when free speech is maintained.

We have a First Amendment for good reasons. We need a free press because without an educated electorate we cannot have a functioning democracy.

Free speech is the cornerstone to every right we have.

I try to do that in this book without preaching - to try to do as you just said that you really have to defend the First Amendment rights of everybody.

I think that, as Americans, we should never forget that when we tamper with freedom of speech, it is a very sensitive issue that affects all of our constitutional rights and privileges.

I feel like freedom of speech is one of the great things in this country and the freedom to do what you feel is right.

Free speech is the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is life itself.

In a democracy one must have the right to express oneself and that's what I do, even if it displeases.

Free speech is the foundation of an open and liberal democracy from college campuses to the White House.

This country is built on free speech.

Free speech is not just another value. It's the foundation of Western civilization.

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.

The First Amendment is the First Amendment for a reason - our most cherished right. But it often creates muddy and uncomfortable situations, ones that are the source of great drama and national self-reflection.

Individuals have a right to freedom of speech.

I'm a big believer in freedom and people's rights to express themselves and not have government interfere in that type of thing.

There is nothing more wonderful than freedom of speech.

In the end, the thing that's important about free expression is that it's the right from which all other rights are derived. If you can't articulate ideas and if you can't articulate critiques of other peoples' ideas, then you're powerless. What always increases the power of an authoritarian regime is whether it can successfully prevent people from expressing themselves.