The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error.
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The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed, read more
The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed, in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind, a wide-spread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible
It's the opinion of some that crops could be grown on the moon; which raises the fear that it may read more
It's the opinion of some that crops could be grown on the moon; which raises the fear that it may not be long before we're paying somebody not to.
A fellow can't keep people from having a bad opinion of him, but he can keep them from being right read more
A fellow can't keep people from having a bad opinion of him, but he can keep them from being right about it.
One can give a really unbiased opinion only about things that do not interest one
One can give a really unbiased opinion only about things that do not interest one
Some men are just as sure of the truth of their opinions as are others of what they know.
Some men are just as sure of the truth of their opinions as are others of what they know.
I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.
I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.
Private opinion is weak, but public opinion is almost omnipotent.
Private opinion is weak, but public opinion is almost omnipotent.
Opinion has caused more trouble on this little earth than plagues or earthquakes.
Opinion has caused more trouble on this little earth than plagues or earthquakes.
I think most of the people involved in any art always secretly wonder whether they are really there because they're read more
I think most of the people involved in any art always secretly wonder whether they are really there because they're good or there because they're lucky.
