Skip to content

At the heart of the First Amendment is the recognition of the fundamental importance of the free flow of ideas and opinions on matters of public interest and concern. The freedom to speak one's mind is not only an aspect of individual liberty – and thus a good unto itself – but also is essential to the common quest for truth and the vitality of society as a whole. We have therefore been particularly vigilant to ensure that individual expressions of ideas remain free from governmentally imposed sanctions. The First Amendment recognizes no such thing as a "false" idea.

— William Rehnquist

Another quote →

Topics

Freedom

More quotes by William Rehnquist

Our judges will not continue to represent the diverse face of America if only the well-to-do or the mediocre are willing to become judges.

Pregnancy is of course confined to women, but it is in other ways significantly different from the typical covered disease or disability.

The First Amendment recognizes no such thing as a "false" idea.

Somewhere "out there," beyond the walls of the courthouse, run currents and tides of public opinion which lap at the courtroom door.

To the extent that libraries wish to offer unfiltered access, they are free to do so without federal assistance.

All William Rehnquist quotes →

You may also like

You have to start with the truth. The truth is the only way that we can get anywhere. Because any decision-making that is based upon lies or ignorance can't lead to a good conclusion.

Julian Assange

What constitutes the bulwark of our own liberty and independence?

Abraham Lincoln

Science and religion are two human enterprises sharing many features.

Freeman Dyson Infinite in All Directions (1988)

There is no governor anywhere; you are all absolutely free. There is no restraint that cannot be escaped.

Robert Anton Wilson

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: William Rehnquist (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.