The only index by which to judge a government or a way of life is by the quality of the read more

The only index by which to judge a government or a way of life is by the quality of the people it acts upon. No matter how noble the objectives of a government, if it blurs decency and kindness, cheapens human life, and breeds ill will and suspicion- it is an evil government.

A criminal trial is like a Russian novel: it starts with exasperating slowness as the characters are introduced to a read more

A criminal trial is like a Russian novel: it starts with exasperating slowness as the characters are introduced to a jury, then there are complications in the form of minor witnesses, the protagonist finally appears and contradictions arise to produce drama, and finally as both jury and spectators grow weary and confused the pace quickens, reaching its climax in passionate final argument.

Freedom...refer[s] to a social relationship among people- namely, the absence of force as a prospective instrument of decision making. Freedom read more

Freedom...refer[s] to a social relationship among people- namely, the absence of force as a prospective instrument of decision making. Freedom is reduced whenever a decision is made under threat of force, whether or not force actually materializes or is evident in retrospect.

I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.

I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.

The mystery of government is not how Washington works but how to make it stop.

The mystery of government is not how Washington works but how to make it stop.

The best reason I can think of for not running for President of the United States is that you have read more

The best reason I can think of for not running for President of the United States is that you have to shave twice a day.

What is the use of physicians like myself trying to help parents to bring up children healthy and happy, to read more

What is the use of physicians like myself trying to help parents to bring up children healthy and happy, to have them killed in such numbers for a cause that is ignoble?

There is all the difference in the world between treating people equally and attempting to make them equal.

There is all the difference in the world between treating people equally and attempting to make them equal.

The idea that you can merchandise candidates for high office like breakfast cereal - that you can gather votes like read more

The idea that you can merchandise candidates for high office like breakfast cereal - that you can gather votes like box tops - is, I think, the ultimate indignity to the democratic process.