Felix Frankfurter Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"Liberty of thought soon shrivels without freedom of expression. Nor can truth be pursued in an atmosphere hostile to the endeavor or under dangers which are hazarded only by heroes."

by:	Felix Frankfurter (1882-1965) U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Source:	Dennis et al v. United States, 1951
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Categories:	Justice, Truth
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Liberty of thought; or, thought of liberty.

Liberty is; “The power of acting as one thinks fit, without any restraint or control, except from the laws of nature.” (Bouvier’s Law Dictionary) Liberty is the “exemption from extraneous control. The power of the will, in its moral freedom, to follow the dictates of its unrestricted
choice, and to direct the external acts of the individual without restraint, coercion, or control from other persons. Liberty is the right which nature gives to all mankind of disposing of their persons and property after the manner they judge most consistent with their happiness, on condition of their acting within the limits of the law of nature, and so as not to interfere with an equal exercise of the same rights by other men.” (Black’s Law Dictionary 1st ed.). Clarifying original fact, nature’s law intent, and de jure jurisprudence: “Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.” (Thomas Jefferson) “The Natural Liberty of Man is to be free from any Superior Power on Earth, and not to be under the Will or Legislative Authority of Man, but to have only the Law of Nature for his Rule.” (John Locke - second most quoted source for creation of the Constitution) “Personal liberty, or the Right to enjoyment of life and liberty, is one of the fundamental or natural Rights, which has been protected by its inclusion as a guarantee in the various constitutions, which is not derived from, or dependent on, the U.S. Constitution, which may not be submitted to a vote and may not depend on the outcome of an election. It is one of the most sacred and valuable Rights, as sacred as the Right to private property ⋯ and is regarded as inalienable.” (16 C.J.S., Constitutional Law, Sect.202, p.987). Liberty, under “the laws of nature and of nature’s God” (Declaration of Independence) – nature’s law, is the state of exercising all inalienable rights. “All men are created equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; among which are the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing the obtaining of happiness and safety.” (George Mason) “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.” (James 2:12) For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:16)

Liberty and truth's pursuit, in an atmosphere hostile to the endeavor or, under dangers which are hazardous to their person / property are sought by heroes.”

-- Mike, Norwalk

Liberty shrivels (along with the thought thereof; AND, even what liberty is) when freedom of expression enslaves once individual sovereigns. By example; in an atmosphere of hostility, danger and hazards to liberty, such as compelled compliance, victimless crimes, government licenses and larceny (2nd plank of the communist manifesto, police state confiscations, funny money, etc.) the thought of liberty gets lost.

By example; A license is: “A personal privilege to do some particular act or series of acts ⋯ by competent authority, ⋯ without such permission would be illegal, a trespass, a tort, or otherwise not allowable.” (Black’s Law Dictionary, 6th Edition) License is a de facto authorization of an arbitrary privilege; “given by some competent authority to do an act, which without such authority would be illegal.” (Bouvier’s Law Dictionary) A license is “The permission granted by competed authority to exercise a certain privilege that, without such authorization, would constitute an illegal act, a Trespass or a tort.” (West’s Encyclopedia of American Law, 2nd Edition) A government license is: “The permission, by competent authority to do an act which without permission, would be illegal, a trespass, or a tort.” (People vs. Henderson, 218 NW.2d 2,)

In an atmosphere where marriage, commerce / business, and property ownership are criminal acts, the very thought of what liberty “IS”, is lost. A government license does not make an act legal, a government license only allows the participant in such criminal act to continue without prosecution.

-- Mike, Norwalk

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