The justification and the purpose of freedom of speech is not to indulge those who want to speak their minds. It is to prevent error and discover truth. There may be other ways of detecting error and discovering truth than that of free discussion, but so far we have not found them.
Interpretation
Freedom of speech is essential for uncovering truth and avoiding mistakes.
This quote emphasizes the importance of freedom of speech not merely as a right to express opinions, but as a crucial mechanism for identifying errors and discovering the truth. The speaker argues that while there may be alternative methods for these goals, none have proven to be as effective as open discussion, thus highlighting the foundational role that free dialogue plays in society.
In practice
In a debate about censorship, one could use this quote to advocate for the importance of free expression.
It is sobering to recall that though the Japanese relocation program, carried through at such incalculable cost in misery and tragedy, was justified on the ground that the Japanese were potentially disloyal, the record does not disclose a single case of Japanese disloyalty or sabotage during the whole war.
If our democracy is to flourish, it must have criticism; if our government is to function it must have dissent.
The greatest danger we face is not any particular kind of thought. The greatest danger we face is absence of thought.
We should not forget that our tradition is one of protest and revolt, and it is stultifying to celebrate the rebels of the past ... while we silence the rebels of the present.
America was born of revolt, flourished in dissent, became great through experimentation.
Men in authority will always think that criticism of their policies is dangerous. They will always equate their policies with patriotism, and find criticism subversive.
You might say, 'Can't we have a more human Christianity, without the cross, without Jesus, without stripping ourselves?' In this way we'd become pastry-shop Christians, like a pretty cake and nice sweet things. Pretty, but not true Christians.
Wasting time has an esthetics to it.
Arguments are to be avoided: they are always vulgar and often convincing.
The unpredictable and the predetermined unfold together to make everything the way it is.
When we learn to read the story of Jesus and see it as the story of the love of God, doing for us what we could not do for ourselves--that insight produces, again and again, a sense of astonished gratitude which is very near the heart of authentic Christian experience.
What, all so soon asleep! I wish mine eyes Would, with themselves, shut up my thoughts.
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