Audience Quote by William O. Douglas
“Free speech is not to be regulated like diseased cattle and impure butter. The audience (in this case, the judge or the jury) that hissed yesterday may applaud today, even for the same performance.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Oral Argument, United States Supreme Court, 1965
Free expression should not be controlled by fluctuating public opinion; it must be protected even when unpopular.
In simple terms: Protect speech despite changing tastes.
Key Takeaway
Defend unpopular ideas.
Themes
freedom
law
public opinion
justice
Mood
defiant
thoughtful
Type
legal
philosophical
When to use this quote
- courtroom debates
- media criticism
- political rallies
- artistic performance
Key Concepts
civil liberties
judicial independence
democratic discourse
Questions to Reflect On
- Should all speech be protected equally?
- How to balance free speech with societal harm?
A Different Perspective
Protection can clash with hate speech concerns.
