Hubert H. HumphreyHubert H. Humphrey, (1911-1978) US Vice-President, US Senator (D-MN)

Hubert H. Humphrey Quote

“Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent and debate.”

Hubert H. HumphreyHubert H. Humphrey
~ Hubert H. Humphrey

Speech, Syracuse University, 6 June 1965

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Anonymous
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Anonymous    6/23/06

They way it ought to work. Unfortunately all we get is rhetoric, opponent bashing, and biased pundits and sound bites. I would love to see more meaningful, respectful, analytical, and thoughtful debate backed up by facts. I won't hold my breath though. The main strategy seems to silence, marginalize, and vilify dissent.

Mike, Norwalk

In context, its a good sound bite

Mike, Norwalk
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Mike, Norwalk Mike, Norwalk 5/25/26

Freedom is NOT ! ! ! hammered out on any device of abstract intellectual exercise. Freedom’s best applied structure may be discussed or debated BUT ! ! !, freedom itself, as an inalienable right inherent in the noble specie man is what it IS.

Liberty is; “The power of acting as one thinks fit, without any restraint or control, except from the laws of nature.” (Bouvier’s Law Dictionary) Liberty is the “exemption from extraneous control. The power of the will, in its moral freedom, to follow the dictates of its unrestricted choice, and to direct the external acts of the individual without restraint, coercion, or control from other persons. Liberty is the right which nature gives to all mankind of disposing of their persons and property after the manner they judge most consistent with their happiness, on condition of their acting within the limits of the law of nature, and so as not to interfere with an equal exercise of the same rights by other men.” (Black’s Law Dictionary 1st ed.). Clarifying original fact, nature’s law intent, and de jure jurisprudence: liberty is; “The condition of being free from confinement, servitude, or forced labor.” (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language 5th ed.) “Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.” (Thomas Jefferson) “The Natural Liberty of Man is to be free from any Superior Power on Earth, and not to be under the Will or Legislative Authority of Man, but to have only the Law of Nature for his Rule.” (John Locke - second most quoted source for creation of the Constitution) “Personal liberty, or the Right to enjoyment of life and liberty, is one of the fundamental or natural Rights, which has been protected by its inclusion as a guarantee in the various constitutions, which is not derived from, or dependent on, the U.S. Constitution, which may not be submitted to a vote and may not depend on the outcome of an election. It is one of the most sacred and valuable Rights, as sacred as the Right to private property ⋯ and is regarded as inalienable.” (16 C.J.S., Constitutional Law, Sect.202, p.987). “In short, is not liberty the freedom of every person to make full use of his faculties, so long as he does not harm other persons while doing so? Is not liberty the destruction of all despotism - including, of course legal despotism? Finally, is not liberty the restricting of the law only to its rational sphere of organizing the right of the individual to lawful self-defense; of punishing injustice?” (Frederic Bastiat) Liberty, under “the laws of nature and of nature’s God” (Declaration of Independence) – nature’s law, is the state of exercising all inalienable rights. “All men are created equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; among which are the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing the obtaining of happiness and safety.” (George Mason) “Liberty exists in proportion to wholesome restraint; the more restraint on others to keep off from us, the more liberty we have.” (Daniel Webster) ”For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13) “Where liberty is, there is my country” (Benjamin Franklin).

Freedom is: “The state of being free; liberty; self determination:” (Black’s Law Dictionary 1st Edition); freedom is: “the power or liberty to order one's own actions” (Colins English Dictionary); freedom is: “The ability to act at liberty.” (Webster’s Dictionary) “All men by nature are equal in that equal right that every man hath to his natural freedom, without being subjected to the will or authority of any other man; being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.” (John Locke) “Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere.” (Franklin D. Roosevelt) “Freedom is independence of the compulsory will of another, and in so far as it tends to exist with the freedom of all according to a universal law, it is the one sole original inborn right belonging to every man in virtue of his humanity.” (Immanuel Kant)

E Archer, NYC
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E Archer, NYC Mike, Norwalk 6/11/26

Excellent point, Mike!  Love it. 👏

Anonymous, Reston, VA US

Too bad today's politicians (and most of the public) do not seem to understand this...

EGL, LA
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EGL, LA    6/11/07

Read Al Gore's new book, The Assault on Reason as a modern treatise on why the collective's ability to think rationally and contribute intelligently to a participatory democracy is at terminal risk.

Ken, Allyn, WA

Watch Al Gore's schlockumentary "Inconvenient Truth" to see an assault on reason.

E Archer, NYC

... but Freedom is eventually defended by force. If we don't have the power to live free, our freedom will eventually be taken from us -- no matter whether we 'win' any debates or not -- we have to fight to keep our freedom as well as to get it back.

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