We deal with a right of privacy older than the Bill of Rights-older than our political parties, older than our school system.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Privacy is a fundamental right that predates formal legal structures and political systems.
- In plain terms
- The right to privacy is older than the government or any laws.
- What can you take from it?
- Privacy is a natural right, not just a legal one.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What rights exist before laws?
- How old is the right to privacy?
Another view
Historical evidence for specific pre-constitutional privacy rights is debated.
More from William O. Douglas
The way to combat noxious ideas is with other ideas. The way to combat falsehoods is with truth.
Permalink to quote #42 We do not sit as a superlegislature to weigh the wisdom of legislation.
Permalink to quote #44 The right to revolt has sources deep in our history.
Permalink to quote #41
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