Dissent Quotes

Has there ever been a society which has died of dissent? Several have died of conformity in our lifetime.

People may believe that there can be a society where dissent is not permitted, but which is nonetheless not a fear society because everyone agrees with one another and therefore no one wants to dissent.

In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith.

In contrast, fear societies are societies in which dissent is banned.

Neither with those nor with the others, with all I agree and dissent; in all part of truth and part of error must be seen.

The human rights record within China seems to rise and fall over time, but it's very clear that in the run up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and since then, there's been a greater intolerance of dissent and the human rights record of China has been going in the wrong direction.

Discussion in America means dissent.

Those who begin coercive elimination of dissent soon find themselves exterminating dissenters. Compulsory unification of opinion achieves only the unanimity of the graveyard.

Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionists and rebels - men and women who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine. As their heirs, may we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion.

A dissenting minority feels free only when it can impose its will on the majority: what it abominates most is the dissent of the majority.

Dissent is the native activity of the scientist, and it has got him into a good deal of trouble in the last years. But if that is cut off, what is left will not be a scientist. And I doubt whether it will be a man.

When a man fails to see the truth of certain generally accepted views, there is no law compelling him to provoke animosity by announcing his dissent.

Free societies are societies in which the right of dissent is protected.

In the end it is worse to suppress dissent than to run the risk of heresy.

Science exists, moreover, only as a journey toward troth. Stifle dissent and you end that journey.

It's so easy for propaganda to work, and dissent to be mocked.

Throughout the lead-up to the war, CNN worked hard to air all sides of the story. We had a regular segment called Voices of Dissent in which we spent time covering antiwar protests and interviewing those who were opposed to the war with Iraq.

Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate.

There are men - now in power in this country - who do not respect dissent, who cannot cope with turmoil, and who believe that the people of America are ready to support repression as long as it is done with a quiet voice and a business suit.

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

In addition to removing our democratically elected government, Israel wants to sow dissent among Palestinians by claiming that there is a serious leadership rivalry among us. I am compelled to dispel this notion definitively.

We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.

Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.

We may be so eager to protect the right to dissent that we lose sight of the difference between dissent and subversion.

Will dissent be permitted? The answer to that question will determine whether the society is a free society or a fear society.

The rightful claim to dissent is an existential right of the individual.

The aspects of patriotism that hush dissent, encourage going along, and sanction comfortable distancing and compliance with what is indecent and unacceptable... those aspects are too fundamental to ignore or gloss over.

So now is the time, more than ever, for those who truly value all the principles of democracy, especially including dissent, to be the most forceful in speaking up, standing up and speaking out.

May we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion.

It's much easier to make jokes about sensitive issues if there is some dissent, some conflict.