#lib

If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries. These libraries should be open to all—except the censor. We must know all the facts and hear all the alternatives and listen to all the criticisms. Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors. For the Bill of Rights is the guardian of our security as well as our liberty. ↗

— John F. Kennedy

#freedom-of-thought #liberty #libraries #freedom

Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties. ↗

— John Milton

#according #argue #conscience #freely #give

It is impossible to enslave, mentally or socially, a bible-reading people. The principles of the bible are the groundwork of human freedom. ↗

— Horace Greeley

#freedom #god #law #liberty #oppression

America is the greatest engine of innovation that has ever existed, and it can't be duplicated anytime soon, because it is the product of a multitude of factors: extreme freedom of thought, an emphasis on independent thinking, a steady immigration of new minds, a risk-taking culture with no stigma attached to trying and failing, a noncorrupt bureaucracy, and financial markets and a venture capital system that are unrivaled at taking new ideas and turning them into global products. ↗

— Thomas L. Friedman

#capitalism #economics #freedom #liberty #politics

Being democratic is not enough, a majority cannot turn what is wrong into right. In order to be considered truly free, countries must also have a deep love of liberty and an abiding respect for the rule of law. ↗

— Margaret Thatcher

#freedom #law #liberty #respect #right

I just wondered what a thing it would be...if overnight everything you owe anything to, justice, or love, had really gone away. Free. It would be...heartless terror. Yes. Terrible, and... Very great. To shed your skin, every old skin, one by one and then walk away, unemcumbered, into the morning. ↗

— Tony Kushner

#liberation #freedom

The Truth is found when men (and Women) are free to pursue it. ↗

— Franklin D. Roosevelt

#liberty #truth #freedom

Our liberty will not be secured at the sword's point... We must secure it by making ourselves worthy of it. And when the people reaches that height, God will provide a weapon, the idols will be shattered, tyranny will crumble like a house of cards, and liberty will shine out like the first dawn. ↗

— José Rizal

#liberty #freedom

My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy! ↗

— Thomas Jefferson

#founding-fathers #freedom #liberty #thomas-jefferson #freedom

The power of the Executive to cast a man into prison without formulating any charge known to the law and particularly to deny him the judgement of his peers is in the highest degree odious and is the foundation of all totalitarian government whether Nazi or Communist. ↗

— Winston Churchill

#liberty #patriot-act #politics #freedom