Civil government cannot let any group ride roughshod over others simply because their consciences tell them to do so.
Robert H. JacksonRead
In our country are evangelists and zealots of many different political, economic and religious persuasions whose fanatical conviction is that all thought is divinely classified into two kinds - that which is their own and that which is false and dangerous.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the tendency of people to categorize beliefs strictly as either their own or opposing views, often with a fanatical conviction.
Robert H. Jackson's quote critiques the simplistic and dogmatic mentality found in various ideological groups, suggesting that individuals often perceive thoughts and beliefs as being binary: either aligning with their own perspectives or being deemed incorrect and potentially harmful. This reflects a broader commentary on the polarization of ideas in society, where complexity is often lost in the fervor of conviction.
Themes
ConvictionBeliefPolarizationThoughtIdeology
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate, I quoted this to illustrate how conclusions can be overly simplified.
More from Robert H. Jackson
All quotes →While the Nation has forbidden monopoly by one set of laws it has been creating them by another. Patent laws, valuable as they may be in some respects, often father monopoly.
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Freedom to differ is not limited to things that do not matter much. That would be a mere shadow of freedom. The test of its substance is the right to differ as to things that touch the heart of the existing order.
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To believe that patriotism will not flourish if patriotic ceremonies are voluntary and spontaneous instead of a compulsory routine is to make an unflattering estimate of the appeal of our institutions to free minds.
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We must make clear to the Germans that the wrong for which their fallen leaders are on trial is not that they lost the war, but that they started it. And we must not allow ourselves to be drawn into a trial of the causes of the war, for our position is that no grievances or policies will justify resort to aggressive war. It is utterly renounced and condemned as an instrument of policy.
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Our forefathers found the evils of free thinking more to be endured than the evils of inquest or suppression. This is because thoughtful, bold and independent minds are essential to the wise and considered self-government.
Robert H. JacksonRead
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