Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker agrees to answer questions unless asked to name others, invoking the Fifth Amendment otherwise.
In plain terms
I will answer unless I must name others.
What can you take from it?
Know your rights in legal proceedings.

Where it applies

  • court hearings
  • government investigations
  • legal defense

Putting it to work

  • consult a lawyer
  • know your rights
  • record proceedings

Questions to consider

  • Would you cooperate?
  • What rights matter most?

Another view

This approach may still lead to legal trouble.

More from Lillian Hellman

  1. I am ready and willing to testify before the representatives of our Government as to my own opinions and my own actions, regardless of any risks or consequence…

    Permalink to quote #5
  2. A man should be jailed for telling lies to the young.

    Permalink to quote #7
  3. Lonely people, in talking to each other can make each other lonelier.

    Permalink to quote #4

Related quotes

  1. 'Abu Ghraib is unbelievable in the innocent times of 1961. That we would torture people that way and on the instructions of the President of the United States …

    Ramsey ClarkRamsey Clark quote #1
  2. We were terrified that Jones would settle. It was contrary to our purpose of bringing down the president.

    Ann CoulterAnn Coulter quote #2
  3. One can conclude that certain essential, or fundamental, rights should exist in any just society. It does not follow that each of those essential rights is one…

    Anthony KennedyAnthony Kennedy quote #2