This I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. read more

This I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected. And this I must fight against: any idea, religion, or government which limits or destroys the individual.

Freedom means freedom from forces and circumstances which would turn man into a thing, which would impose on man the read more

Freedom means freedom from forces and circumstances which would turn man into a thing, which would impose on man the passivity and predictability of matter. By this test, absolute power is the manifestation most inimical to human uniqueness. Absolute power wants to turn people into malleable clay.

Our whole constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control men's minds.

Our whole constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control men's minds.

A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned how to walk forward.

A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned how to walk forward.

When I talked to him on the phone yesterday. I called him George rather than Mr. Vice President. But, in read more

When I talked to him on the phone yesterday. I called him George rather than Mr. Vice President. But, in public, it's Mr. Vice President, because that is who he is.

Diplomacy is to do and say the nastiest things in the nicest way.

Diplomacy is to do and say the nastiest things in the nicest way.

Helplessness induces hopelessness, and history attests that loss of hope and not loss of lives is what decides the issue read more

Helplessness induces hopelessness, and history attests that loss of hope and not loss of lives is what decides the issue of war.

Tyranny and despotism can be exercised by many, more rigourously, more vigourously, and more severely, than by one.

Tyranny and despotism can be exercised by many, more rigourously, more vigourously, and more severely, than by one.

"What freedom does a starving man have?" The answer is that starvation is a tragic human condition- perhaps more tragic read more

"What freedom does a starving man have?" The answer is that starvation is a tragic human condition- perhaps more tragic than loss of freedom. That does not prevent these from being two different things.