Home / Authors / William O. Douglas

William O. Douglas

William O. Douglas Quotes

Former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

William O. Douglas was a former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Born on October 16, 1898, and passing away on January 19, 1980, he is renowned for his contributions to constitutional interpretation. During his tenure on the Supreme Court, Douglas advocated for liberal judgments, particularly in the areas of the First and Fifth Amendments, and had a profound impact on the American legal and judicial system.

Filter quotes by topic

All Men Government Liberty People Amendments First Amendment Law Firsts Ifs Constitution May Privacy Should Doe Knows States Thinking Freedom Of Speech Political Speech

Famous William O. Douglas Quotes

“The Constitution favors no racial group - no political or social group.”

Political Social Groups Constitution Favors Social Groups

Author:William O. Douglas

“We deal with a right of privacy older than the Bill of Rights-older than our political parties, older than our school system.”

School Political Deals Party Rights Bills Privacy Political Parties Bill Of Rights School System Right To Privacy

Author:William O. Douglas

“Political controls in the sense that we think of bureaus or departments of government can never ope to produce collaboration between groups in the inner wheels of our industrial organization. It must come from inner compulsions and desires.”

Thinking Government Political Desire Politics Groups Produce Organization Wheels Department Collaboration Compulsion

Author:William O. Douglas

“Among the liberties of citizens that are guaranteed are ... the right to believe what one chooses, the right to differ from his neighbor, the right to pick and choose the political philosophy he likes best, the right to associate with whomever he chooses, the right to join groups he prefers.”

Believe Philosophy Political Liberty Groups Citizens Picks Neighbor Likes Associates Political Philosophy

Author:William O. Douglas

“Ideas are indeed the most dangerous weapons in the world. Our ideas of freedom are the most powerful political weapons man has ever forged.”

Men World Ideas Political Powerful Liberty Dangerous Danger Weapons Most Powerful Forged

Book:An Almanac of Liberty

Source: An Almanac of Liberty

“We have a system which, though far from perfect, is strong with idealism. It gives elbow room for men of all races and all beliefs. It is vital and dynamic. And it works. We have the means of shaping the world in our pattern. If we do, freedom will be assured for all men. The decision is in the hands of this generation. It is a challenge to our political competence. For Western civilization it is the greatest challenge of all time.”

“The right to revolt has sources deep in our history.”

War Political Religious Liberty Source Anti War Antiwar Revolt

Book:An Almanac of Liberty

Source: An Almanac of Liberty

“The association promotes a way of life, not causes; a harmony in living, not political faiths; a bilateral loyalty, not commercial or social projects. Yet it is an association for as noble a purpose as any involved in any prior decisions.”

Way Political Purpose Social Causes Decision Involved Projects Harmony Noble Loyalty Association

Author:William O. Douglas

About the Author

Born: October 16, 1898
Died: January 19, 1980
Known for: Former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Quotes: 140

Related Topics

Men Government Liberty People Amendments First Amendment Law Firsts Ifs Constitution May Privacy Should Doe Knows States Thinking Freedom Of Speech Political Speech

Popular Topics

People Ifs Thinking Knows Men World Way Want Love Life Inspirational Needs Giving Feels Should Writing Trying Years Mind Firsts

Books & Sources

POINTS OF REBELLIONRelated source material

An Almanac of LibertyRelated source material

My Wilderness THE PACIFIC WESTRelated source material

Similar Authors

Hugo BlackBrowse related quotes
Joseph SobranBrowse related quotes
Anthony KennedyBrowse related quotes
Thomas JeffersonBrowse related quotes
Alexander HamiltonBrowse related quotes
Ron PaulBrowse related quotes
William J. BrennanBrowse related quotes
James MadisonBrowse related quotes
Louis D. BrandeisBrowse related quotes
Joseph StoryBrowse related quotes