Famous Justice William O. Douglas Quote 

"The right to be let alone is indeed
the beginning of all freedom."

by:
Justice William O. Douglas
(1898-1980), U. S. Supreme Court Justice
Source:
Public Utilities Commission v Pollack, 1952
Categories:
 
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Reader comments about this quote:
This is one of the greatest quotes in American History when looking at an Americans 4th Amendment Right To Be Let Alone.
 -- Matt, Las Vegas		 
This quote is appealing but standing alone it is bombastic and anarchistic. The idea of organized society, government is that we are in something together. Folks within that society have some obligation. Thus if one wants to truly be left alone he must leave the society of his fellow citizens, and give up the "benefits" of socializing with such a society. If one is plugged into the water, electricity, sewer, cable , transportation system, education system is it fair to shout out to the world "leave me alone".
 -- Bruce, Alabama		 
The essence of this quote is exactly what it is - encroachment on an individuals freedom (if they have not encroached on yours) by force or any other means is wrong. If you wish to be totally left alone that is your unalienable right regardless of the mechanics of society - it is your decision, your right, and not the utilities of this world.
 -- Rober, Sarasota		 
Yes, it is a right to be left alone -- as it is also the responsibility to take care of oneself. In order to be free, one must be responsible for oneself. If I choose to contract service providers for water, electricity, and telecommunications, then so be it as long as each abide by their agreement.
 -- E Archer, NYC		 
Said well Robert and Archer. Compelled compliance, license, victimless crimes, theft of the noble labor's fruits, forced charity-ID-insurance are but just some of what comes to mind in the violation of this inalienable right. I, as sovereign, am uniquely and personally responsible for my associations.
 -- Mike, Norwalk		 
It appears you guys are of the camp that would make airport security a voluntary rather than a required search. The left alone crowd often does not want to be inconvenienced for the common good. If we all want to be left alone then we should abolish all government, from the block captain all the way up to the United Nations and resort to anarchy. How on earth can you correlate the word "govern" with the phrase "be left alone". To govern means to rule, regulate, control. Thankfully our rules, regulation, control, and "theft of the noble laborer's fruits" is done entirely with the consent of the governed. I fully understand that no one personally wants to be governed but generally we do want the other guy to be governed. I respectfully submit that as our species has grown in numbers and in proximity to each other the less alone we are able to be and unfortunately the more government we have required and asked for. As far as being alone I love parking my RV deep into the National Forest where I never see another person for weeks. If you all like poetry you may remember this one "No man is an island unto himself." It is nice to try but in a world of 6 billion homo sapiens I think it is the height of naivety to think each and every one of us can be left alone. I mean it would be great for the five of us to be left alone but if one of those others is throwing their raw garbage on "our" street is he entitled to be left alone also.
 -- Bruce, Alabama		 
You have SERIOUSLY missed the POINT, Bruce....
 -- Randy, Canoga Park, PRK		 
Don't get your ni****s twisted like B., this quote was about being forced to listen to audio messages on a streetcar.
 -- Lucy, Pandemonium		 
Sorry. I know we all wish to be left alone but there is a contraian view here. Have you ever hear of the Possee Comitatus. They teach that all governing power should go to the county thus they say that they should be left alone by the state and the federal governments. I get incensed over ugly and idiotic bumper stickers and yes other peoples radios on public trans etcetera but this quote was about being left alone by government not our fellow citizens. The courts have ruled that we have no legal right not to be offended by our fellow citizens.
 -- Bruce, Alabama		 
People who don't want to leave others alone flock to government jobs.
 -- warren, olathe		 
well people who are alone are actually people
 -- Anonymous, duluth		 
hello
 -- luke, minniapolis		 
We do need to be let alone as long as we are doing the RIGHT thing - not as to someones opinion.
 -- Forrest		 
All commerce involves individuals who enter into contracts which they feel are beneficial to their own situation. It matters not that they may not result in mutual benefit; as if I purchased beachfront property prior to a hurricane. This is the fundamental basis of capitalism and the interaction of people in successful economies. I, as a member of this society, should have the right to enter into a contract or to be " let alone" . When we are forced to act for the common good of a society or group seeking advantage through cronyism, special interest,etc., we are acting in ways contrary to The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. There is a difference between left alone and "let alone". There is a place for all you socialists. Try the European Union and leave the rest of us "alone" and " free."
 -- Rick, Anchorage		 
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