---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't exercise your freedom of speech…"
description: "\"“Don't exercise your freedom of speech until you have exercised your freedom of thought.”\" — Tim Fargo"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d40/tim-fargo-9813_caution_don-t-exercise-your-freedom-of-speech-un_1847039.jpg"
---

#  Don't exercise your freedom of speech until you have…

![“Don't exercise your freedom of speech until you have exercised your freedom of thought.” quote by Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d40/tim-fargo-9813_caution_don-t-exercise-your-freedom-of-speech-un_1847039.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d40/tim-fargo-9813_caution_don-t-exercise-your-freedom-of-speech-un_1847039.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d40/tim-fargo-9813_caution_don-t-exercise-your-freedom-of-speech-un_1847039.jpg)

> ““Don't exercise your freedom of speech until you have exercised your freedom of thought.””

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

## About This Quote

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

He advises that one should develop independent thinking before exercising the right to speak freely.

**In simple terms:** Think before you speak, ensuring thoughtful expression.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate critical thought prior to public discourse.

Themes

speech thought responsibility

Mood

cautionary instructive

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- debates
- public speaking
- media commentary
- education curricula

Key Concepts

freedom of expression critical thinking

Questions to Reflect On

- How can societies encourage thoughtful speech?
- What role does education play in shaping discourse?

A Different Perspective

Freedom of speech can be misused without reflection.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Caution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caution/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Deliberation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deliberation/) [Dissent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dissent/) [Expressing yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expressing-yourself/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Freedom of speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-of-speech/) [Freedom of thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-of-thought/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

## Related quotes

> [Whether it appears so or not, you have total freedom right now. What would happen if you fully exercised that freedom this very minute?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-joyner/whether-it-appears-so-or-not-you-have-total-freedom-right-now-what/)

[Mark Joyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-joyner/)

> [“While there is still time, we must exercise what freedom we still have to vote every Democrat and every Republican out of our federal,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-befumo/while-there-is-still-time-we-must-exercise-what-freedom-we-still-have/)

[Joseph Befumo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-befumo/)

> [Life in the open is one of my finest rewards. I enjoy and become completely immersed in the high challenge and increased opportunity to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-bear/life-in-the-open-is-one-of-my-finest-rewards-i-enjoy-and-become/)

[Fred Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-bear/)

> [I will obviously exercise my freedom of speech because I live in India, not in Saudi Arabia and Iran; freedom of speech is an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/payal-rohatgi/i-will-obviously-exercise-my-freedom-of-speech-because-i-live-in/)

[Payal Rohatgi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/payal-rohatgi/)

> [When you exercise your freedom to express yourself at the lowest level, you ultimately condemn yourself to live at that level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/when-you-exercise-your-freedom-to-express-yourself-at-the-lowest/)

[Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/)

> [I will try exercise my freedom of speech by avoiding legalities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/payal-rohatgi/i-will-try-exercise-my-freedom-of-speech-by-avoiding-legalities/)

[Payal Rohatgi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/payal-rohatgi/)

> [America touts itself as the land of the free, but the number one freedom that you and I have is the freedom to enter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-morello/america-touts-itself-as-the-land-of-the-free-but-the-number-one/)

[Tom Morello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-morello/)

> [I believe that art has been a vehicle for me that's been about enlightenment and expanding my own parameters, to give me courage to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-koons/i-believe-that-art-has-been-a-vehicle-for-me-that-s-been-about/)

[Jeff Koons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-koons/)

> [Only oppression should fear the full exercise of freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/only-oppression-should-fear-the-full-exercise-of-freedom/)

[Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/)

> [The true exercise of freedom is - cannily and wisely and with grace - to move inside what space confines - and not seek…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-s-byatt-2/the-true-exercise-of-freedom-is-cannily-and-wisely-and-with-grace-to/)

[A. S. Byatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-s-byatt-2/)

> [The individual must not be allowed to be overly free, but the country must be entirely free. When the country can exercise freedom, China…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-yat-sen/the-individual-must-not-be-allowed-to-be-overly-free-but-the-country/)

[Sun Yat-sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-yat-sen/)

> [Only in those moments when I exercise my freedom am I fully myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-jaspers/only-in-those-moments-when-i-exercise-my-freedom-am-i-fully-myself/)

[Karl Jaspers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-jaspers/)

> [“Don't be so ignorant as to think that what we're exercising is freedom if we've bled it of morals, purged it of wisdom, declared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/don-t-be-so-ignorant-as-to-think-that-what-we-re-exercising-is/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [The strongest reason for giving woman all the opportunities of higher education, for the full development of her faculties, forces of mind and body;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/the-strongest-reason-for-giving-woman-all-the-opportunities-of-higher/)

[Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/)

> [Heresy is only another word for freedom of thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/heresy-is-only-another-word-for-freedom-of-thought/)

[Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/)

## More by Tim Fargo

> [“Forgiveness is the process of dropping off your emotional baggage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/forgiveness-is-the-process-of-dropping-off-your-emotional-baggage/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

> [“I never drank from the fountain of knowledge, I had mine on the rocks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/i-never-drank-from-the-fountain-of-knowledge-i-had-mine-on-the-rocks/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

> [“Don't envy what people have, emulate what they did to have it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/don-t-envy-what-people-have-emulate-what-they-did-to-have-it/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

> [“To give value to others, you have to begin by valuing yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/to-give-value-to-others-you-have-to-begin-by-valuing-yourself/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

> [“Never give up your right to be wrong, and be sure to give others that right too.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/never-give-up-your-right-to-be-wrong-and-be-sure-to-give-others-that/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

> [“Who you are tomorrow begins with what you do today.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/who-you-are-tomorrow-begins-with-what-you-do-today/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

> [“Some people take offense like it's a limited time offer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/some-people-take-offense-like-it-s-a-limited-time-offer/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

> [“We need people who push boundaries rather than retreat inside them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/we-need-people-who-push-boundaries-rather-than-retreat-inside-them/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

> [“When your ideas shatter established thought, expect blowback.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/when-your-ideas-shatter-established-thought-expect-blowback/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

> [It is better to know what to fear than to say 'no fear.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/it-is-better-to-know-what-to-fear-than-to-say-no-fear/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

> [“Ignore failure. Try anew until you succeed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/ignore-failure-try-anew-until-you-succeed/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

> [“Opportunity doesn't make appointments, you have to be ready when it arrives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/opportunity-doesn-t-make-appointments-you-have-to-be-ready-when-it/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

> [“Forget seizing the moment. Seize the opportunity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/forget-seizing-the-moment-seize-the-opportunity/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

> [“Don't tell me about your effort. Show me your results.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/don-t-tell-me-about-your-effort-show-me-your-results/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

> [“You don't get any points in life for doing things the hard way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/you-don-t-get-any-points-in-life-for-doing-things-the-hard-way/)

[Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

[Explore all 70 Tim Fargo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/)

## More Caution quotes

> [Popular culture as a whole is popular, but in today's fragmented market it's a jostle of competing unpopular popular cultures. As the critic Stanley…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/popular-culture-as-a-whole-is-popular-but-in-today-s-fragmented/)

[Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/)

> [Ancient eyes had stared at me, filled with ancient grief. And something more. Something so alien and unexpected that I'd almost burst into tears.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/ancient-eyes-had-stared-at-me-filled-with-ancient-grief-and-something/)

[Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/)

> [It requires as much to tell the truth as to conceal it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/it-requires-as-much-to-tell-the-truth-as-to-conceal-it/)

[Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

> [“…there’s nothing in this world that demands more caution than the truth. To tell the truth is like leeching one’s own heart...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/there-s-nothing-in-this-world-that-demands-more-caution-than-the/)

[Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/)

> [ \[D\]on't grow old. With age comes caution, which is another name for cowardice… Whatever else you do in life, don't cultivate a conscience. Without… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesketh-pearson/d-on-t-grow-old-with-age-comes-caution-which-is-another-name-for/)

[Hesketh Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesketh-pearson/)

> [When I became successful, I put up a caution. I didn't think it was fair to have the shadow of that kind of success…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/when-i-became-successful-i-put-up-a-caution-i-didn-t-think-it-was/)

[Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/)

> [There is one stark fact facing us: three quarters of all crime that results in a caution or sentence happens because of reoffending. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gauke/there-is-one-stark-fact-facing-us-three-quarters-of-all-crime-that/)

[David Gauke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gauke/)

> [The four cautions: Beware a woman in front of you, beware a horse behind of you, beware a cart beside of you, and beware…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-o-neill/the-four-cautions-beware-a-woman-in-front-of-you-beware-a-horse/)

[Jamie O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-o-neill/)

> [“Oh ... why not?' he smiled. "This valley is a pleasant spot for meditation. I like New England... it is here that I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/oh-why-not-he-smiled-this-valley-is-a-pleasant-spot-for-meditation-i/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Fear and caution are two different things. Be cautious - be conscious - but do not be fearful. Fear only paralyzes, while consciousness mobilizes.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/fear-and-caution-are-two-different-things-be-cautious-be-conscious/)

[Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/)

> [ “\[U\]se extreme caution, and please remember that 451 degrees Fahrenheit is more than just a book a title…” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ammon-shea/u-se-extreme-caution-and-please-remember-that-451-degrees-fahrenheit/)

[Ammon Shea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ammon-shea/)

> [I often found myself in situations where I had, without thinking, said too much to too many with too little caution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-corey-whaley/i-often-found-myself-in-situations-where-i-had-without-thinking-said/)

[John Corey Whaley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-corey-whaley/)

> [The future is inherently full of discontinuities, and lessons of the past must be applied with enormous caution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zbigniew-brzezinski/the-future-is-inherently-full-of-discontinuities-and-lessons-of-the/)

[Zbigniew Brzezinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zbigniew-brzezinski/)

> [Every human being has, like Socrates, an attendant spirit; and wise are they who obey its signals. If it does not always tell us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-m-child/every-human-being-has-like-socrates-an-attendant-spirit-and-wise-are/)

[Lydia M. Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-m-child/)

> [“Love everyone but chose your friends with caution.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mensah-oteh/love-everyone-but-chose-your-friends-with-caution/)

[Mensah Oteh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mensah-oteh/)

[Browse all 640 Caution quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caution/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Don't exercise your freedom of speech until you have exercised your freedom of thought.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Tim Fargo"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/don-t-exercise-your-freedom-of-speech-until-you-have-exercised-your/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Caution"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/don-t-exercise-your-freedom-of-speech-until-you-have-exercised-your/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d40/tim-fargo-9813_caution_don-t-exercise-your-freedom-of-speech-un_1847039.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d40/tim-fargo-9813_caution_don-t-exercise-your-freedom-of-speech-un_1847039.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d40/tim-fargo-9813_caution_don-t-exercise-your-freedom-of-speech-un_1847039.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Don't exercise your freedom of speech until you have exercised your freedom of thought.” — Tim Fargo",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Tim Fargo",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Don't exercise your freedom of speech...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/don-t-exercise-your-freedom-of-speech-until-you-have-exercised-your/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/don-t-exercise-your-freedom-of-speech-until-you-have-exercised-your/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
