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About this quote

What does it mean?
Freedom of speech should be protected even for disagreeable views.
In plain terms
Defend others' right to speak even if you hate their words.
What can you take from it?
Protect free speech for all, even opponents.

Where it applies

  • debate
  • public discourse

Putting it to work

  • advocate free speech
  • listen to opponents

Questions to consider

  • What limits should speech have?
  • Do you protect speech you hate?

Another view

Absolute free speech can sometimes cause harm.

More from Voltaire

  1. God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh.

    Permalink to quote #98
  2. Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.

    Permalink to quote #100
  3. God is a circle whose center is everywhere and circumference nowhere.

    Permalink to quote #97

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