Quote#Freedom
As an active privilege, [free speech] ranks with the privilege of…
Quote byMark Twain · 1835–1910
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: "The Privilege of the Grave" (1905).
English (original)
As an active privilege, [free speech] ranks with the privilege of committing murder: we may exercise it if we are willing to take the consequences. Murder is forbidden both in form and in fact; free speech is granted in form but forbidden in fact. By the common estimate both are crimes, and are held in deep odium by all civilized peoples. Murder is sometimes punished, free speech always.
— Mark Twain
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