I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hall (attributed to Voltaire) states a principle of defending free speech even when one strongly disagrees with the content.
- In plain terms
- I disagree with you but I will fight for your right to speak.
- What can you take from it?
- Protect free speech even for ideas you hate.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Are there limits to free speech?
- How do you defend ideas you find abhorrent?
Another view
Some speech causes harm that outweighs the principle of free expression.
Related quotes
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
VoltaireVoltaire quote #99 If we don't believe in free expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all.
Noam ChomskyNoam Chomsky quote #172 Everybody favors free speech in the slack moments when no axes are being ground.
Heywood BrounHeywood Broun quote #5