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Another day Quote by Jerome Frank

“To vest a few fallible men — prosecutors, judges, jurors — with vast powers of literary or artistic censorship, to convert them into what J. S. Mill called a "moral police," is to make them despotic arbiters of literary products. If one day they ban mediocre books as obscene, another day they may…” quote by Jerome Frank
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“To vest a few fallible men — prosecutors, judges, jurors — with vast powers of literary or artistic censorship, to convert them into what J. S. Mill called a "moral police," is to make them despotic arbiters of literary products. If one day they ban mediocre books as obscene, another day they may do likewise to a work of genius.”

Jerome Frank

About This Quote

Source Speech: Unknown, 1960s commentary on censorship

Empowers a few to police literature, risking tyranny over art and ideas.

In simple terms: Few control art, leading to tyranny.

Key Takeaway

Guard against censorship.

Themes

freedom of expression artistic liberty authority censorship tyranny

Mood

cautious critical

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

  • publishing decisions
  • court rulings
  • educational curricula
  • media regulation

Key Concepts

Moral policing power dynamics literary criticism

Questions to Reflect On

  • Who decides what is obscene?
  • How can we balance protection and freedom?
A Different Perspective

Even with oversight, subjective taste can still suppress innovation.

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