Amendments Quote by Hugo Black
“The First Amendment's language leaves no room for inference that abridgments of speech and press can be made just because they are slight. That Amendment provides, in simple words, that "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." I read "no law . . . abridging" to mean no law abridging.”
About This Quote
Source Supreme Court Opinion: United States v. United States, 1954
The First Amendment prohibits any law that limits speech or press, even minimally.
In simple terms: No law may restrict speech or press.
Key Takeaway
Defend absolute free expression.
Themes
freedom of speech
press
constitutional law
civil liberties
Mood
serious
defensive
Type
legal
constitutional
When to use this quote
- court rulings
- legislative drafting
- media publishing
- public protest
Key Concepts
First Amendment
legal interpretation
government authority
Questions to Reflect On
- How should societies handle harmful speech?
- Can any restriction ever be justified?
A Different Perspective
Balancing free speech with hate speech concerns can be complex.
