Quotes · Skopia

9 quotes

SortEditorial Year Length

Topic·Minority rights✕clear

Political literature · Historical literature

Freedom is always freedom for the one who thinks differently.

The Russian Revolution · 1919

★ 5.4

Speech · Political speech

If by the mere force of numbers a majority should deprive a minority of any clearly written constitutional right, it might, in a moral point of view, justify revolution—certainly would if such a right were a vital one.

Abraham Lincoln

First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln · 1861

★ 4.6

Essay · Political literature

In a society under the forms of which the stronger faction can readily unite and oppress the weaker, anarchy may as truly be said to reign as in a state of nature.

Federalist 51 · 1788

★ 3.7

Speech · Political speech

One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities from oppressing minorities or encroaching upon their just rights. Minorities have a right to appeal to the Constitution as a shield against such oppression.

Inaugural Address of James K. Polk · 1845

★ 3.6

Speech · Political speech

All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.

Thomas Jefferson

First Inaugural Address of Thomas Jefferson · 1801

★ 2.1

Speech · Political speech

A majority held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations, and always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular opinions and sentiments, is the only true sovereign of a free people. Whoever rejects it does, of necessity, fly to anarchy or to despotism.

Abraham Lincoln

First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln · 1861

★ 2.1

Essay · Political literature

It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part.

1788

★ 2.0

Essay · Political literature

Different interests necessarily exist in different classes of citizens. If a majority be united by a common interest, the rights of the minority will be insecure.

Federalist 51 · 1788

★ 2.0

Speech · Political speech

While he executes the laws with an impartial hand, shrinks from no proper responsibility, and faithfully carries out in the executive department of the Government the principles and policy of those who have chosen him, he should not be unmindful that our fellow-citizens who have differed with him in opinion are entitled to the full and free exercise of their opinions and judgments, and that the rights of all are entitled to respect and regard.

Inaugural Address of James K. Polk · 1845

★ 1.1