John Morley Quotes

Silence coerced by law—the argument of force in its worst form.

Bigotry and intolerance, silenced by argument, endeavors to silence by persecution, in old days by fire and sword, in modern days by the tongue.

Every time you touch those who have power over the media, they seek to stop you.

As I say, I'm a discourse advocate. What form it comes is less important to me than the fact that there is discourse.

I don't think it makes any sense to try to get anyone to not talk.

Try and understand--there are views other than yours.

I can try to convince somebody else of my beliefs, but I should not be imposing.

Who is it that said that 'you have not converted a man because you have silenced him?' This is true of the use of the military on people.

I've always wondered if people who block each other from expressing their opinions do so because they have so little confidence in their own. To me, encountering an opposing point of view is a chance to gain a deeper understanding of the issues at stake and develop my own point of view. But the first thing you've got to do is you've got to let people speak and you've got to listen. And that's what the first amendment is all about. That's what really distinguishes this country from others.

As Christians we need to be patient, understanding, and kind. Instead of going on the attack, we can ask genuine questions. Instead of bristling when our narrative is summarily dismissed, we can carefully explain our way of seeing things. And when we are wrong, we won't be afraid to say so.

The enemies of freedom do not argue; they shout and they shoot.

Everyone has a responsibility to not only tolerate another person's point of view, but also to accept it eagerly as a challenge to your own understanding. And express those challenges in terms of serving other people.

To silence criticism is to silence freedom.

Politically correct speech will not defeat the enemy.

If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all.

Debate is so much better than denial.

Civility is not about dousing strongly held views. It's about making sure that people are willing to respect other perspectives.

Contention is inseparable from creating knowledge. It is not contention we should try to avoid, but discourses that attempt to suppress contention.

I don't like being forced to reduce my thoughts to sound bites.

I shall stand for freedom of thought and expression in a place where it has been trampled and penalized.

Intimidation, harassment and violence have no place in a democracy.

Some people think that you have to be the loudest voice in the room to make a difference. That is just not true. Often, the best thing we can do is turn down the volume. When the sound is quieter, you can actually hear what someone else is saying. And that can make a world of difference.

I'm not out to convince anybody of anything.

There are a lot of people in the animal rights movement who can be very passionate and aggressive, and I applaud people's passion, but when people are judgmental and aggressive, all you end up doing is getting other people to turn away in irritation. To change people's minds, you have to respect the people you're talking to.

Right reason is stronger than force.