Censorship reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself. It is a hallmark of an authoritarian regime.

Censorship reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself. It is a hallmark of an authoritarian regime.

Only the suppressed word is dangerous.

Only the suppressed word is dangerous.

Censorship reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself.

Censorship reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself.

If there had been a censorship of the press in Rome we should have had today neither Horace nor Juvenal, read more

If there had been a censorship of the press in Rome we should have had today neither Horace nor Juvenal, nor the philosophical writings of Cicero.

The trouble with censors is that they worry if a girl has cleavage. They ought to worry if she hasn't read more

The trouble with censors is that they worry if a girl has cleavage. They ought to worry if she hasn't any.

As long as I don't write about the government, religion, politics, and other institutions, I am free to print anything.

As long as I don't write about the government, religion, politics, and other institutions, I am free to print anything.

Damn all expurgated books; the dirtiest book of all is the expurgated book.

Damn all expurgated books; the dirtiest book of all is the expurgated book.

The first condition of progress is the removal of censorship.

The first condition of progress is the removal of censorship.

If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we read more

If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries. These libraries should be open to all—except the censor. We must know all the facts and hear all the alternatives and listen to all the criticisms. Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors. For the Bill of Rights is the guardian of our security as well as our liberty.