Banned books Quote by Stephen King
““If there's one American belief I hold above all others, it's that those who would set themselves up in judgment on matters of what is "right" and what is "best" should be given no rest; that they should have to defend their behavior most stringently. ... As a nation, we've been through too many fights to preserve our rights of free thought to let them go just because some prude with a highlighter doesn't approve of them." [ Bangor Daily News , Guest Column of March 20, 1992]””
About This Quote
Source Column: Bangor Daily News, Guest Column, March 20 1992
The quote warns against allowing moral arbiters to suppress free thought; it champions defending rights even when faced with prudish criticism.
In simple terms: Defend free thought against judgmental moralists.
Key Takeaway
Stand firm for free thought.
Themes
freedom
judgment
rights
Mood
defiant
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political debate
- academic discourse
- media criticism
- personal expression
Key Concepts
civil liberties
moral authority
censorship
Questions to Reflect On
- Who are the moral arbiters you encounter?
- How do you balance respect with free thought?
A Different Perspective
Overly rigid defense can become reactionary.
