Thomas Sowell Quotes

The question in brief, is whether democracy and freedom are values to be preserved or threats to be avoided . . . democracy and freedom are more than values to be treasured; they may well be essential to survival.

The taste which men have for liberty and that which they feel for equality are, in fact, two different things...among democratic nations they are two unequal things.

Democracy and liberty are not the same. Democracy is little more than mob rule, while liberty refers to the sovereignty of the individual.

Education and justice are democracy's only life insurance.

I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible.

Here is the crisis of the times as I see it: We talk about problems, issues, policies, but we don't talk about what democracy means - what it bestows on us - the revolutionary idea that it isn't just about the means of governance but the means of dignifying people so they become fully free to claim their moral and political agency.

We have a democracy within the bounds of a constitution which provides certain guarantees related to the basic humanity of every person. I think that's the best way to go.

If democracy is a means rather than an end, its limits must be determined in the light of the purpose we want it to serve.

I regard freedom of expression as the primary right without which one can not have a proper functioning democracy.

Government itself is founded upon the great doctrine of the consent of the governed, and has its cornerstone in the memorable principle that men are endowed with inalienable rights.

Democracies have been, and governments called, free; but the spirit of independence and the consciousness of unalienable rights, were never before transfused into the minds of a whole people....The feeling of equality which they proudly cherish does not proceed from an ignorance of their station, but from the knowledge of their rights; and it is this knowledge which will render it so exceedingly difficult for any tyrant ever to triumph over the liberties of our country.

The Constitution is a delusion and a snare if the weakest and humblest man in the land cannot be defended in his right to speak and his right to think as much as the strongest in the land.

In a Constitution for a free people, there can be no doubt that the meaning of ‘liberty’ must be broad indeed.

I believe in defending democracy by preserving democracy, not by descending to the use of the same weapons used in dictatorships, whether of the Nazi or Communist stripe.

The case for democracy is not esthetic.

To view the opposition as dangerous is to misunderstand the basic concepts of democracy. To oppress the opposition is to assault the very foundation of democracy.

In the long run, stability cannot be purchased at the expense of liberty.

If American democracy is to remain the greatest hope of humanity, it must continue abundantly in the faith of the Bible

The spirit of democracy cannot be established in the midst of terrorism, whether governmental or popular.

America must remain freedom's staunchest friend, for freedom is our best ally and it is the world's only hope to conquer poverty and preserve peace.

democracy is that which affords a rule of living as well as a test of faith.

If you do not force political freedom, economic freedom will be stymied sooner or later.

Liberalism must be intolerant of every sort of intolerance.

Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.

Democracy is not tolerance. Democracy is a prescribed way of life erected on the premise that all men are created equal.