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In the course of my twenty years career as an assailant of special privilege, I have attacked pretty nearly every important interest in America. The statements I have made, if false, would have been enough to deprive me of a thousand times all the property I ever owned, and to have sent me to prison for a thousand times a normal man's life. I have been called a liar on many occasions, needless to say; but never once in all these twenty years has one of my enemies ventured to bring me into a court of law, and to submit the issue between us to a jury of American citizens.

Upton Sinclair#24

TruthPowerJusticeAdvocacyCourage

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author claims that attacking special privilege for twenty years has not led to legal action despite threats to his property and liberty.
In plain terms
He attacked special interests but was never sued.
What can you take from it?
Truthful accusations can withstand attacks.

Where it applies

  • advocacy
  • political commentary
  • whistleblowing

Putting it to work

  • stand firm against power
  • test claims in court

Questions to consider

  • How do you handle accusations?
  • What protects truth from power?

Another view

Lack of lawsuits does not prove all claims are true.

More from Upton Sinclair

  1. The reader will understand that I despise these 'yellows'; they are utterly without honor, they are vulgar and cruel; and yet, in spite of all their vices, I c…

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  2. When Mr. John P. Gavit, managing editor of the New York Evening Post, wrote to Mr. Melville E. Stone, general manager of the Associated Press, that I had a rep…

    Permalink to quote #25
  3. The methods by which the 'Empire of Business' maintains its control over journalism are four: First, ownership of the papers; second, ownership of the owners; …

    Permalink to quote #22

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