William O. Douglas Supreme Court Associate Justice. Quotes

William Orville Douglas (October 16, 1898 – January 19, 1980) was a United States Supreme Court Associate Justice. With a term lasting 36 years and 209 days, he is the longest-serving justice in the history of the Supreme Court.

Free speech is not to be regulated like diseased cattle and impure butter. The audience that hissed yesterday may applaud today, even for the same performance. 
William O. Douglas 
When a legislature undertakes to proscribe the exercise of a citizen's constitutional rights it acts lawlessly and the citizen can take matters into his own hands and proceed on the basis that such a law is no law at all. 
William O. Douglas 
The Constitution is not neutral. It was designed to take the government off the backs of people. 
William O. Douglas 
The critical point is that the Constitution places the right of silence beyond the reach of government. 
William O. Douglas 

The liberties of none are safe unless the liberties of all are protected. 
William O. Douglas 

Since when have we Americans been expected to bow submissively to authority and speak with awe and reverence to those who represent us? 
William O. Douglas 
The right to be let alone is indeed the beginning of all freedoms. 
William O. Douglas 

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