Standing in the presence of the Unknown, all have the same right to think, and all are equally interested in the great questions of origin and destiny. All I claim, all I plead for, is liberty of thought and expression. That is all. I do not pretend to tell what is absolutely true, but what I think is true. I do not pretend to tell all the truth. I do not claim that I have floated level with the heights of thought, or that I have descended to the very depths of things. I simply claim that what ideas I have, I have a right to express; and that any man who denies that right to me is an intellectual thief and robber. That is all.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Everyone has an equal right to think and express their views on life's big questions. Ingersoll claims only for liberty of thought, acknowledging he does not possess absolute truth.
- In plain terms
- Everyone has the right to think and speak their truth, even if it is not absolute.
- What can you take from it?
- Defend your right to think and express ideas freely.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What rights do you hold most dear in inquiry?
- Is there such a thing as absolute truth?
Another view
Absolute liberty of expression can sometimes conflict with safety or harm prevention.
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