---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: With regard to freedom of speech there…"
description: "\"“With regard to freedom of speech there are basically two positions: you defend it vigorously for views you hate, or you reject it and prefer Stalinist..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfa/noam-chomsky-42_communication_with-regard-to-freedom-of-speech-there-a_1455348.jpg"
---

#  With regard to freedom of speech there are basically two…

![“With regard to freedom of speech there are basically two positions: you defend it vigorously for views you hate, or you reject it and prefer Stalinist/fascist standards. It is unfortunate that it remains necessary to stress these simple truths.” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfa/noam-chomsky-42_communication_with-regard-to-freedom-of-speech-there-a_1455348.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfa/noam-chomsky-42_communication_with-regard-to-freedom-of-speech-there-a_1455348.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfa/noam-chomsky-42_communication_with-regard-to-freedom-of-speech-there-a_1455348.jpg)

> ““With regard to freedom of speech there are basically two positions: you defend it vigorously for views you hate, or you reject it and prefer Stalinist/fascist standards. It is unfortunate that it remains necessary to stress these simple truths.””

[Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/)

## About This Quote

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

Freedom of speech requires defending all views, even hateful ones; abandoning it leads to authoritarian standards.

**In simple terms:** Defend all speech or risk tyranny.

Key Takeaway

Stand up for all opinions.

Themes

free speech politics ethics

Mood

critical thoughtful

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

- public debate
- online platforms
- legislation

Key Concepts

tolerance authoritarianism civil discourse

Questions to Reflect On

- Can we protect speech without amplifying hate?
- What limits, if any, are acceptable?

A Different Perspective

Defending hateful speech can cause harm.

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[Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Freedom of speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-of-speech/) [Simple truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simple-truth/) [Simple truths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simple-truths/)

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