The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right; the spirit of liberty is the spirit which seeks to understand the minds of other men and women; the spirit of liberty is the spirit which weighs their interests alongside its own without bias; the spirit of liberty remembers that not even a sparrow falls to earth unheeded; the … [ Read more ]
Author: Learned Hand | Subjects: Concepts, Freedom | Liberty, Religion
[M]y friends, will you not agree that any society which begins to be doubtful of itself; in which one man looks at another and says: “He may be a traitor,” in which that spirit has disappeared which says: “I will not accept that, I will not believe that—I will demand proof. I will not say of my brother that he may be a traitor,” but … [ Read more ]
Author: Learned Hand | Subjects: Life & Society, Sociology | Anthropology
You cannot raise the standard against oppression, or leap into the breach to relieve injustice, and still keep an open mind to every disconcerting fact, or an open ear to the cold voice of doubt.
Author: Learned Hand | Subjects: Law | Legal, Personal Improvement, Politics & Public Policy
Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women. When it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it.
Author: Learned Hand | Subjects: Freedom | Liberty, Law | Legal