Danger Quote by William Allen White
“You say that freedom of utterance is not for time of stress, and I reply with the sad truth that only in time of stress is freedom of utterance in danger? Only when free utterance is suppressed is it needed, and when it is needed it is most vital to justice.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Editorial, The Chicago Daily News, 1915
Freedom of speech is most threatened during crises, yet its protection is essential for justice.
In simple terms: Speech is most at risk in crises, but vital for justice.
Key Takeaway
Defend speech especially in stressful times.
Themes
freedom of speech
justice
crisis
civic duty
Mood
concerned
determined
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- political protests
- courtrooms
- media reporting
- public debates
Key Concepts
civil liberties
social responsibility
public discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you respond when speech is quietly censored?
- What safeguards can you support?
A Different Perspective
Even in calm periods, complacency can erode protections.
![“[you’ll acquire] A certain amount of cynicism. This business works on you. When you were in law school you had some noble idea what a lawyer should be. A champion of individual rights; a defender of the Constitution; a guardian of the oppressed; an advocate for your client’s principles. Then after…” quote by John Grisham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/06d/john-grisham-974_atorney_you-ll-acquire-a-certain-amount-of-cynic_298880.jpg)
