Henry Steele CommagerHenry Steele Commager, (1902-1998) Historian and author

Henry Steele Commager Quote

“The justification and the purpose of freedom of speech is not to indulge those who want to speak their minds. It is to prevent error and discover truth. There may be other ways of detecting error and discovering truth than that of free discussion, but so far we have not found them.”

Henry Steele CommagerHenry Steele Commager
~ Henry Steele Commager

Freedom and Order, 1966

Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

Freedom of speech is an inalienable right that needs no justification, purpose or way to prevent error. There are better ways of detecting error and discovering truth - experience for one example.

Ron w13, Or

Right in there with FDRs camp. If he got any more left, he would fall off the sinking boat.

jim k, austin tx

Freedom of speech means being able to say something that someone disagrees with. A lot of folk with delicate sense abilities are offended by nearly everything and that's too bad for them. These are usually on college campuses and usually liberal. Muslims are always offended by you having a ham sandwich within 500 feet of them.

Ron w13, Or

Use to be people came here, to be an American, and not try to over throw it, or change it. But assimilate to Liberty under grace. At one time, we weren't suppose to eat the pig, according to Jewish law. But guess what, Our God of nature took the law, out of the way, and set us Free. That we might partake of the promise, of Liberty and freedom.

Wally, Niceville

Mike and Ron... are you reading something different there than I am? I don't see any left leaning speech at all. It is simply another explanation why America desperately needs freedom of speech - and our oath to defend to the death the right of anyone to speak it -not being politically correct.

E Archer, NYC

I'm with Wally on this one. Freedom of speech is not an indulgence but a means to discovering truth.

jim k, Austin

Good on Wally.

@

Get a Quote-a-Day!

Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box daily.