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I believe that it should be perfectly lawful to print even…

“I believe that it should be perfectly lawful to print even things that outrage the pruderies and prejudices of the general, so long as any honest minority, however small, wants to read them. The remedy of the majority is not prohibition, but avoidance.” quote by H. L. Mencken
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“I believe that it should be perfectly lawful to print even things that outrage the pruderies and prejudices of the general, so long as any honest minority, however small, wants to read them. The remedy of the majority is not prohibition, but avoidance.”

H. L. Mencken

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Minority voices should be allowed to publish, while the majority can simply ignore them.

In simple terms: Minorities may publish; majority can avoid.

Key Takeaway

Protect free speech for all, even unpopular views.

Themes

free speech minority rights censorship

Mood

critical thought‑provoking

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

  • publishing
  • media regulation
  • online platforms
  • education

Key Concepts

civil liberties public discourse

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can society encourage reading minority perspectives?
  • What safeguards protect against majority dominance?
A Different Perspective

Minorities may still be silenced by social pressure.

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