The dominant purpose of the First Amendment was to prohibit the widespread practice of government suppression of embarrassing information.

Quote by William Orville Douglas

Topics: Government Quotes

The privacy and dignity of our citizens [are] being whittled away by sometimes imperceptible steps....

The privacy and dignity of our citizens [are] being whittled away by sometimes imperceptible steps....

Acceptance by government of a dissident press is a measure of the maturity of a...

Acceptance by government of a dissident press is a measure of the maturity of a...

Tell the FBI that the kidnappers should pick out a judge that Nixon wants back.

Tell the FBI that the kidnappers should pick out a judge that Nixon wants back.

Honorable retreats are no ways inferior to brave charges, as having less fortune, more of...

Honorable retreats are no ways inferior to brave charges, as having less fortune, more of...

We do not sit as a superlegislature to weigh the wisdom of legislation.

We do not sit as a superlegislature to weigh the wisdom of legislation.

Violence has no constitutional sanction; and every government from the beginning has moved against it....

Violence has no constitutional sanction; and every government from the beginning has moved against it....

The search of the young today is more specific than the ancient search for the...

The search of the young today is more specific than the ancient search for the...

The critical point is that the Constitution places the right of silence beyond the reach...

The critical point is that the Constitution places the right of silence beyond the reach...

The Constitution is not neutral. It was designed to take the government off the backs...

The Constitution is not neutral. It was designed to take the government off the backs...

Tell the FBI that the kidnappers should pick out a judge that Nixon wants back.

Tell the FBI that the kidnappers should pick out a judge that Nixon wants back.

We are rapidly entering the age of no privacy, where everyone is open to surveillance...

We are rapidly entering the age of no privacy, where everyone is open to surveillance...

I learned that the richness of life is found in adventure. . . . It...

I learned that the richness of life is found in adventure. . . . It...

Marriage is a coming together for better or for worse, hopefully enduring, and intimate to...

Marriage is a coming together for better or for worse, hopefully enduring, and intimate to...

Common sense often makes good law.

Common sense often makes good law.

If the government is in jeopardy, it is not because we are unable to cope...

If the government is in jeopardy, it is not because we are unable to cope...

Free speech is not to be regulated like diseased cattle and impure butter. The audience...

Free speech is not to be regulated like diseased cattle and impure butter. The audience...

The Constitution is not neutral. It was designed to take the government off the backs...

The Constitution is not neutral. It was designed to take the government off the backs...

Government should be concerned with anti-social conduct, not with utterances.

Government should be concerned with anti-social conduct, not with utterances.

The manners of women are the surest criterion by which to determine whether a republican...

The manners of women are the surest criterion by which to determine whether a republican...

I think the government ought to stay out of the religious business.

I think the government ought to stay out of the religious business.