1 The history of liberty has largely been the history of the observance of procedural safeguards. -Felix Frankfurter
Liberty can only be assured if there are proper procedures to safeguard it and prevent its abuse. Only nations which have ensured that these procedures are never bypassed and always secured have succeeded in giving its people their liberty.
2 We have enjoyed so much freedom for so long that we are perhaps in danger of forgetting how much blood it cost to establish the Bill of Rights. -Felix Frankfurter
The freedom that we enjoy today has been the result of the sacrifice and struggle of our ancestors. We enjoy so much freedom today that we’ve forgotten how we’ve got that freedom and all that it cost.
3 Freedom of speech and of the press are essential to the enlightenment of a free people and in restraining those who wield power. -Felix Frankfurter
A nation that restricts freedom of speech and that of the press will turn into an oligarchy eventually. The people of the nation should be allowed to hold those in power accountable for their actions.
4 There can be no security where there is fear. -Felix Frankfurter
No person in a nation can be truly free if there’s an environment of fear and insecurity prevailing. Fear undermines the rights of the people and makes them incapable of enjoying their liberty.
5 If one man can be allowed to determine for himself what is law, every man can. -Felix Frankfurter
In a truly just nation, every person will be allowed to participate in the lawmaking process. A nation can’t survive if only a few hold the authority over everything.
6 Wisdom too often never comes, and so one ought not to reject it merely because it comes late. -Felix Frankfurter
Most often than not, wisdom arrives too late. We come to our senses only once it’s late. But even then, you can’t merely disregard it just because it came to you too late.
7 Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power. -Felix Frankfurter
Liberty is a slippery slope. The more liberty that a society practices, the higher the chances of one intruding upon the liberty of others. And it’s not just liberal societies that run the risk. Most times, it is the abuse of power that endangers liberty.
8 When there is a lack of honor in government, the morals of the whole people are poisoned. -Felix Frankfurter
When the government lacks honor among them, when their sense of right and wrong is warped, the morals of the people are also corrupted. The people follow in the footsteps of the government and thus they must make sure they are always in the right.
9 Freedom of expression is the well-spring of our civilization. -Felix Frankfurter
Freedom of expression is what keeps a society healthy. Unless the people are free to say and do what they want, a society will crumble into chaos and tyranny.
10 The mark of a truly civilized man is confidence in the strength and security derived from the inquiring mind. -Felix Frankfurter
A truly civilized man will not swallow everything he’s told blindly. He’ll question everything that he sees and hears and this eventually brings him security and strength like no other.
10 Best Felix Frankfurter Quotes About Liberty and Justice
1. The history of liberty has largely been the history of the observance of procedural safeguards. -Felix Frankfurter
2. We have enjoyed so much freedom for so long that we are perhaps in danger of forgetting how much blood it cost to establish the Bill of Rights. -Felix Frankfurter
3. Freedom of speech and of the press are essential to the enlightenment of a free people and in restraining those who wield power. -Felix Frankfurter
4. There can be no security where there is fear. -Felix Frankfurter
5. If one man can be allowed to determine for himself what is law, every man can. -Felix Frankfurter
6. Wisdom too often never comes, and so one ought not to reject it merely because it comes late. -Felix Frankfurter
7. Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power. -Felix Frankfurter
8. When there is a lack of honor in government, the morals of the whole people are poisoned. -Felix Frankfurter
9. Freedom of expression is the well-spring of our civilization. -Felix Frankfurter
10. The mark of a truly civilized man is confidence in the strength and security derived from the inquiring mind. -Felix Frankfurter