Laura Dern Quotes

Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.

Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is dangerous. They will always equate their policies with patriotism, and find criticism subversive.

No free speech for traitors.

...Americans...automatically equate dissension with disloyalty. They view any criticism of our existing social, economic, and political forms, as sedition and subversion. ...(" The growing reluctance of Americans to criticize, and their increasing tendency to condemn those who, in ever dwindling numbers, will still voice dissent") is disturbing, deplorable, and truly dangerous.

The passion for truth is silenced by answers which have the weight of undisputed authority.

Heretical views arise when the truth is uncertain, and it is only when the truth is uncertain that censorship is invoked.

Real patriots ask questions.

The nation was not founded by habitual groupthinkers. But it stands a fair chance of being destroyed by them.

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

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

Power runs with ideas that only the crazy would draw into doubt.

If I were to say what I really think I would be arrested or shut away in a lunatic asylum. Come on, I am sure that it would be the same for everyone.

Be not astonished at new ideas; for it is well known to you that a thing does not therefore cease to be true because it is not accepted by many.

In fact, I would defend to the death their right to express a different point of view.

Science exists, moreover, only as a journey toward truth. Stifle dissent and you end that journey.

Real patriotism is a willingness to challenge the government when it's wrong.

When a man fails to see the truth of certain generally accepted views, there is no law compelling him to provoke animosity by announcing his dissent.

You know, everybody believes in free speech until you start questioning them about it.

Patriotism without criticism has no head; criticism without patriotism has no heart..

Every man has a right to his opinion, but no man has the right to be wrong in his facts.

A minority may be right. The majority is always wrong.

No member of any society has a right to teach any doctrine contrary to what the society holds to be true.

It is dangerous to be right in matters where established men are wrong.

The doctrine of toleration requires a positive as well as a negative statement. It is not only wrong to burn a man on account of his creed, but it is right to encourage the open avowal and defense of every opinion sincerely maintained. Every man who says frankly and fully what he thinks is so far doing a public service. We should be grateful to him for attacking most unsparingly our most cherished opinions.

There is social intimidation by the self-appointed brigades of the thought police… they exist in every society, whether they are of the religious, nationalistic or atheistic variety. Dogmatists, who are convinced that they know better, that only the way they think is acceptable and who would deprive others of their right to hear differing and discordant voices.. They try to achieve this by either silencing the author or scaring away the public.