---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We hold that the greatest right in the…"
description: "\"We hold that the greatest right in the world is the right to be wrong, that in the exercise thereof people have an inviolable right to express their un..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/700/william-randolph-hearst-20868_exercise_we-hold-that-the-greatest-right-in-the-w_2503952.jpg"
---

#  We hold that the greatest right in the world is the right…

![“We hold that the greatest right in the world is the right to be wrong, that in the exercise thereof people have an inviolable right to express their unbridled thoughts on all topics and personalities, being liable only for the abuse of that right.” quote by William Randolph Hearst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/700/william-randolph-hearst-20868_exercise_we-hold-that-the-greatest-right-in-the-w_2503952.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/700/william-randolph-hearst-20868_exercise_we-hold-that-the-greatest-right-in-the-w_2503952.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/700/william-randolph-hearst-20868_exercise_we-hold-that-the-greatest-right-in-the-w_2503952.jpg)

> “We hold that the greatest right in the world is the right to be wrong, that in the exercise thereof people have an inviolable right to express their unbridled thoughts on all topics and personalities, being liable only for the abuse of that right.”

[William Randolph Hearst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-randolph-hearst/)

## About This Quote

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

Advocates absolute freedom of expression, allowing even erroneous opinions, with liability only for misuse

**In simple terms:** Freedom of speech includes the right to be wrong, but misuse is punishable

Key Takeaway

Protect free speech, but guard against abuse

Themes

freedom of expression rights responsibility

Mood

defensive concerned

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

- public debate
- academic discourse
- social media
- journalism
- political activism

Key Concepts

liberalism civil liberties ethics

Questions to Reflect On

- How do we balance free expression with preventing harm?
- What limits should be placed on speech that incites violence?

A Different Perspective

The right to be wrong can be exploited to spread harmful misinformation

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Exercise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Free thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-thought/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Personality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personality/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/)

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