No man can open his mouth against the freedom of speech without denying every argument he may put forward. Why? He is exercising the right that he denies. How did he get it? Suppose there is one man on an island. You will all admit now that he would have the right to do his own thinking. You will all admit that he has the right to express his thought. Now, will somebody tell me how many men would have to emigrate to that island before the original settler would lose his right to think and his right to express himself?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Ingersoll argues that speech free speech is inherently contradictory, asserting that thinking and expression are natural rights even for a single individual.
- In plain terms
- You cannot argue against free speech while using it yourself.
- What can you take from it?
- Free speech is a natural right that cannot be revoked.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What limits free speech justly?
- Can a right be taken away?
Another view
Some restrictions on speech exist to prevent harm.
More from Robert G. Ingersoll
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