Communication Quote by Anthony M. Kennedy
““First Amendment freedoms are most in danger when the government seeks to control thought or to justify its laws for that impermissible end. The right to think is the beginning of freedom, and speech must be protected from the government because speech is the beginning of thought." [ Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition (00-795), 198 F.3d 1083, affirmed.]””
About This Quote
Source Supreme Court opinion: Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition, 2002
Free speech protects thought; governmental control over ideas threatens liberty, making the right to think the foundation of freedom.
In simple terms: Protect thought, protect freedom.
Key Takeaway
Defend the right to think freely.
Themes
free speech
civil liberties
government
thought
freedom
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
legal analysis
political commentary
When to use this quote
- courtrooms
- legislative debates
- public policy discussions
Key Concepts
law
constitutional law
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies protect thought without enabling hate?
- What limits, if any, should exist on speech?
A Different Perspective
Balancing speech rights with harmful content is complex.
![“In the Hindu religion, one can[not] have freedom of speech. A Hindu must surrender his freedom of speech. He must act according to the Vedas. If the Vedas do not support the actions, instructions must be sought from the Smritis, and if the Smritis fail to provide any such instructions, he must…” quote by B.R. Ambedkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/49b/b-r-ambedkar-2-27051_communication_in-the-hindu-religion-one-can-not-have-f_1093917.jpg)
