Explore a collection of the most beloved and motivational quotes and sayings about Dissents. Share these powerful messages with your loved ones on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, or on your personal blog, and inspire the world with their wisdom. We've compiled the Top 100 Dissents Quotes and Sayings from 90 influential authors, including Glenn Greenwald,Adam Grant,Ambrose Bierce,Thomas Hobbes,Thomas Jefferson, for you to enjoy and share.

In the face of severe injustice, a refusal to dissent is the sign of a character flaw or moral failure. By Glenn Greenwald Injustice Failure Face Severe Refusal

Minority viewpoints are important, not because they tend to prevail but because they stimulate divergent attention and thought, " finds Berkeley psychologist Charlan Nemeth, one of the world's leading experts on group decisions. "As a result, even when they are wrong they contribute to the detection of novel solutions and decisions that, on balance, are qualitatively better".Dissenting opinions are useful even when they're wrong. By Adam Grant Nemeth Berkeley Charlan Minority Important

Nonsense, n. The objections that are urged against this excellent dictionary. By Ambrose Bierce Nonsense Dictionary Objections Urged Excellent

I had requested all who might find aught meriting censure in my writings, to do me the favor of pointing it out to me, I may state that no objections worthy of remark have been alleged against what I then said on these questions except two, to which I will here briefly reply. By Thomas Hobbes Writings Reply Requested Find Aught

The force of public opinion cannot be resisted when permitted freely to be expressed. The agitation it produces must be submitted to. By Thomas Jefferson Expressed Force Public Opinion Resisted

Freedom is always the freedom of dissenters. By Rosa Luxemburg Dissenters Freedom

I am persuaded that a coldly-thought-out and independent verdict upon a fashion in clothes, or manners, or literature, or politics, or religion, or any other matter that is projected into the field of our notice and interest, is a most rare thing -- if it has indeed ever existed. By Mark Twain Clothes Manners Literature Politics Religion

Opinion is called the queen of the world; it is so, for when reason opposes it, it is condemned to death. It must rise twenty times from its ashes to gradually drive away the usurper. By Voltaire Opinion World Death Called Queen

Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. By Thomas Jefferson Errors Opinion Tolerated Reason Left

The prevailing attitude of the speakers was one of heavy disagreement with a number of things which the reader had not said. By Ronald Knox Prevailing Attitude Speakers Heavy Disagreement

The author's opinions do not necessarily coincide with his point of view. By Victor Pelevin View Author Opinions Necessarily Coincide

Protestations of impartiality I shall make none. Theyare always useless and are besides perfect nonsense, when used bya news-monger. By William Cobbett Protestations Impartiality Make Theyare Nonsense

Why the critics, like a flock of ducks, always move in perfect unison: Their authority with the public depends upon an appearance of unanimous agreement. One dissenting voice would shatter the whole fragile structure. By Edward Abbey Critics Ducks Unison Agreement Flock

No more fatuous chimera has ever infested the brain than that you can control opinions by law or direct belief by statute, and no more pernicious sentiment ever tormented the heart than the barbarous desire to do so. The field of inquiry should remain open, and the right of debate must be regarded as a sacred right. By William Borah Statute Fatuous Chimera Infested Brain

It is rare that the public sentiment decides immorally or unwisely, and the individual who differs from it ought to distrust and examine well his own opinion. By Thomas Jefferson Unwisely Opinion Rare Public Sentiment

Many argue; not many converse. By Louisa May Alcott Argue Converse

In a number of cases dissenting opinions have in time become the law. By Charles Evans Hughes Law Number Cases Dissenting Opinions

Occasionally and frequently the exercise of the judgment ought to end in absolute reservation. It may be very distasteful, and great fatigue, to suspend a conclusion; but as we are not infallible, so we ought to be cautious; we shall eventually find our advantage, for the man who rests in his position is not so far from right as he who, proceeding in a wrong direction, is ever increasing his distance. By Michael Faraday Occasionally Reservation Frequently Exercise Judgment

Days XIX. An Opinion XX. A Plea XXI. Echoing Footsteps By Charles Dickens Xix Days Xxi Opinion Footsteps

Opinions sway; facts remain unswerving. By Matshona Dhliwayo Opinions Sway Facts Unswerving Remain

To venture an opinion is like moving a piece at chess: it may be taken, but it forms the beginning of a game that is won. By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Chess Won Venture Opinion Moving

It is a thing of no great difficulty to raise objections against another man's oration, it is a very easy matter; but to produce a better in it's place is a work extremely troublesome. By Plutarch Oration Matter Troublesome Thing Great

We must dissent from the fear. By Thurgood Marshall Fear Dissent

Profound insights arise only in debate, with a possibility of counterargument, only when there is a possibility of expressing not only correct ideas but also dubious ideas. By Andrei Sakharov Possibility Ideas Profound Debate Counterargument

I protest against any absolute conclusion. By George Eliot Conclusion Protest Absolute

It is not the critic who counts By Theodore Roosevelt Counts Critic

Nonconformity is an empty goal, and rebellion against prevailing opinion merely because it is prevailing should no more be praised than acquiescence to it. Indeed, it is often a mask for cowardice, and few are more pathetic than those who flaunt outer differences to expiate their inner surrender. By William H. Whyte Prevailing Nonconformity Goal Empty Rebellion

Silence is hereby outlawed. Silence breeds independent thought, which in turn breeds dissent. By Frank Beddor Silence Outlawed Breeds Thought Dissent

If the majority view, whether in government or in the scientific establishment, is wrong, toleration of dissent increases the odds that their errors will eventually be discovered. But even if the majority view is correct, as it often may be, it is more likely to be seen to be correct if it must defend itself against critics. By Angus J.l. Menuge Majority Establishment Wrong Toleration Discovered

When there are rational grounds for an opinion, people are content to set them forth and wait for them to operate. In such cases, people do not hold their opinions with passion; they hold them calmly, and set forth their reasons quietly. The opinions that are held with passion are always those for which no good ground exists; indeed the passion is the measure of the holder's lack of rational conviction. By Bertrand Russell People Operate Passion Set Content

We hope you have not made the error of supposing that to criticize is always to disagree. (...) To agree is just as much of an exercise of critical judgment on your part as to disagree. By Mortimer J. Adler Disagree Hope Made Error Supposing

Perhaps some of my hearers this evening may have occasionally heard it stated of me that I am rather apt to contradict myself. I hope I am exceedingly apt to do so. I never met wth a question yet, of any importance, which did not need, for the right solution of it, at least one positive and one negative answer, like an equation of the second degree. Mostly, matters of any consequence are three-sided, or four-sided, or polygonal; and the trotting round a polygon is severe work for people any way stiff in their opinions. For myself, I am never satisfied that I have handled a subject properly till I have contradicted myself at least three times: but once must do for this evening. By John Ruskin Apt Hearers Occasionally Heard Stated

The most contrarian thing of all is not to oppose the crowd but to think for yourself. By Peter Thiel Contrarian Thing Oppose Crowd

I understand the principles of dissent in parliament. By Jeremy Corbyn Parliament Understand Principles Dissent

The opinion of the majority is not lightly to be rejected; but neither is it to be carelessly echoed. By George Henry Lewes Rejected Echoed Opinion Majority Lightly

Rejects what is more great; By Lao-Tzu Rejects Great

Disagreement is a rare achievement, and most of what is called disagreement is simply confusion. By John Courtney Murray Disagreement Achievement Confusion Rare Called

Temperate, sincere, and intelligent inquiry and discussion are only to be dreaded by the advocates of error. The truth need not fear them ... By Benjamin Rush Temperate Sincere Error Intelligent Inquiry

Dissent is what rescues democracy from a quiet death behind closed doors. By Lewis H. Lapham Dissent Doors Rescues Democracy Quiet

There will be no more protest. No more dissension. No more violence. There will be only one voice. The voice of Ravinia. The voice of Halla. Your voice." "There goes freedom of speech." I saidAlexnder Naymeer and Bobby Pendragon, Raven Rise, Page 458 By D.j. Machale Voice Protest Page Ravinia Halla

I raise this objection to debate the process, and protect the integrity of the true will of the people. By Stephanie Tubbs Jones Process People Raise Objection Debate

In frank expression of conflicting opinion lies the greatest promise of wisdom in governmental action; and in suppression lies ordinarily the greatest peril. By Louis Brandeis Greatest Lies Action Peril Frank

Silence is an arguement hard to refute By Anonymous Silence Refute Arguement Hard

Collective judgment of new ideas is so often wrong that it is arguable that progress depends on individuals being free to back their own judgment despite collective disapproval. By W. Arthur Lewis Disapproval Collective Judgment Ideas Wrong

I enter into discussion and argument with great freedom and ease, inasmuch as opinion finds me in a bad soil to penetrate and take deep root in. No propositions astonish me, no belief offends me, whatever contrast it offers to my own. There is no fancy so frivolous and so extravagant that it does not seem to me quite suitable to the production of the human mind. By Michel De Montaigne Ease Enter Discussion Argument Great

Between craft and credulity, the voice of reason is stifled. By Edmund Burke Credulity Stifled Craft Voice Reason

The right to agree with others is not a problem in any society; it is the right to disagree that is crucial. By Ayn Rand Society Crucial Agree Problem Disagree

In every country where man is free to think and to speak, difference of opinion will arise from difference of perception, and the imperfection of reason; but these differences, when permitted, as in this happy country, to purify themselves by free discussion, are but as passing clouds overspreading our land transiently, and leaving our horizon more bright and serene. By Thomas Jefferson Difference Country Free Speak Perception

When one enters any intellectual battle, big or small, public or private, one cannot seek, desire or expect the enemy's sanction. Truth or falsehood must be one's sole concern and sole criterion of judgment - not anyone's approval or disapproval; and, above all, not the approval of those whose standards are the opposite of one's own. By Ayn Rand Battle Big Small Public Private

The free expression of opinion, as experience has taught us, is the safety-valve of passion. The noise of the rushing steam, when it escapes, alarms the timid; but it is the sign that we are safe. The concession of reasonable privilege anticipates the growth of furious-appetite. By Herbert Gladstone, 1St Viscount Gladstone Opinion Passion Free Expression Experience

Dissent is the native activity of the scientist, and it has got him into a good deal of trouble in the last years. But if that is cut off, what is left will not be a scientist. And I doubt whether it will be a man. By Jacob Bronowski Scientist Dissent Years Native Activity

And here and now we must insist again that fidelity, honor, and love of country demand untrammeled debate and open dissent. At no time is that truer than in the midst of a war rooted in deceit and justified by continuing deception. By John F. Kerry Honor Fidelity Dissent Insist Love

Criticism surprises the soul in the arms of convention. By George Santayana Criticism Convention Surprises Soul Arms

I do not say this, that I think there should be no difference of opinions in conversation, nor opposition in men's discourses ... 'Tis not the owning one's dissent from another, that I speak against, but the manner of doing it. By John Locke Conversation Discourses Difference Opinions Opposition

The majority cannot reason; it has no judgement. It has always placed its destiny in the hands of others; it has followed its leaders even into destruction. The mass has always opposed, condemned, and hounded the innovator, the pioneer of a new truth. By Emma Goldman Reason Judgement Majority Destruction Condemned

As the work progresses the careful reader will insert mental interrogation points here and there. He will find that his interest increases as the interrogation points become more frequent, and that it culminates where they are changed to marks of positive dissent. I venture to record the opinion that the value of the work reaches a maximum in a passage that is demonstrably incorrect. By John Bates Clark Interrogation Points Work Progresses Careful

Illuminate the opposition. By Adam Weishaupt Illuminate Opposition

Opinion crowns with an imperial voice. By William Shakespeare Opinion Voice Crowns Imperial

They that approve a private opinion, call it opinion; but they that dislike it, heresy; and yet heresy signifies no more than private opinion. By Thomas Hobbes Opinion Private Call Heresy Approve

The voice of the majority is no proof of justice By Friedrich Schiller Justice Voice Majority Proof

Thus the essence of freedom of opinion is not in mere toleration as such, but in the debate which toleration provides: it is not in the venting of opinion, but in the confrontation of opinion. By Walter Lippmann Opinion Toleration Essence Freedom Mere

Collective wisdom, alas, is no adequate substitute for the intelligence of individuals. Individuals who opposed received opinions have been the source of all progress, both moral and intellectual. They have been unpopular, as was natural. By Bertrand Russell Alas Collective Wisdom Individuals Adequate

Contrary opinions are one thing, contrary facts are another. By Patrick Rothfuss Contrary Thing Opinions Facts

There are voices and they must be heard. By Jeanette Winterson Heard Voices

Nowadays public opinion is not the sum of private opinions. On the contrary, private opinions are an echo of public opinion By Nicolas Gomez Davila Public Private Nowadays Opinion Opinions

I have heard your views. They do not harmonize with mine. The decision is taken unanimously. By Charles De Gaulle Views Heard Mine Unanimously Harmonize

Reading the [The Verso Book of Dissent] is like encountering the best version of our angry selves. By Jonathan Messinger Dissent Verso Book Reading Encountering

Did not hesitate to be disagreeable to preserve my independence - applied By Sarah Vowell Applied Independence Hesitate Disagreeable Preserve

It's a strange truth that no matter how persuaded we might be of our own correctness, the discomfiting realization that others disagree with us causes a paralyzing inability to argue the case convincingly. By Brittney Ryan Correctness Convincingly Strange Truth Matter

I am in revolt against the age-old lie that the majority is always right. By Henrik Ibsen Revolt Ageold Lie Majority

Though we disagree, we should not be disagreeable. By Dallin H. Oaks Disagree Disagreeable

I wish I could say that racism and prejudice were only distant memories. We must dissent from the indifference. We must dissent from the apathy. We must dissent from the fear, the hatred and the mistrust ... We must dissent because America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better. By Thurgood Marshall Dissent Memories America Racism Prejudice

Dissent is the mark of freedom, as originality is the mark of independence of mind. ... No one can be a scientist ... if he does not have independence of observation and of thought. By Jacob Bronowski Mark Dissent Freedom Mind Originality

In America the majority raises formidable barriers around the liberty of opinion; within these barriers an author may write what he pleases, but woe to him if he goes beyond them. By Alexis De Tocqueville America Opinion Barriers Majority Raises

If one is seeking reasons for disloyalty, it is useful to find something one can resent. By John Christopher Disloyalty Resent Seeking Reasons Find

So numerous indeed and so powerful are the causes which serve to give a false bias to the judgment, that we, upon many occasions, see wise and good men on the wrong as well as on the right side of questions of the first magnitude to society. This circumstance, if duly attended to, would furnish a lesson of moderation to those who are ever so much persuaded of their being in the right in any controversy. By Alexander Hamilton Judgment Occasions Society Numerous Powerful

The right to dissent is the only thing that makes life tolerable for a judge of an appellate court ... the affairs of government could not be conducted by democratic standards without it. By William O. Douglas Court Dissent Thing Makes Life

Most of our fellow-subjects are guided either by the prejudice of education or by a deference to the judgment of those who perhaps in their own hearts disapprove the opinions which they industriously spread among the multitude. By Joseph Addison Multitude Fellowsubjects Guided Prejudice Education

Thought that is silenced is always rebellious. Majorities, of course, are often mistaken. This is why the silencing of minorities is necessarily dangerous. Criticism and dissent are the indispensable antidote to major delusions. By Alan Barth Thought Rebellious Silenced Majorities Mistaken

There are occasions upon which a candid expression of opinion may be not only rude, but counterproductive. L By Elizabeth Peters Rude Counterproductive Occasions Candid Expression

The struggle for subjectivity is a battle to win the right to have access to difference, variation and metamorphosis. By Charles J. Stivale Difference Variation Metamorphosis Struggle Subjectivity

Contentions fierce, Ardent, and dire, spring from no petty cause. By Walter Scott Ardent Contentions Fierce Dire Spring

The dilemma of the critic has always been that if he knows enough to speak with authority, he knows too much to speak with detachment.(A Qualified Farewell) By Raymond Chandler Farewell Speak Qualified Authority Detachment

I did not ask for objections, but for comments, or helpful suggestions. I looked for more loyalty from you, Captain Hornblower.'That made the whole argument pointless. If Leighton only wanted servile agreement there was no sense in continuing ... By C.s. Forester Objections Comments Suggestions Helpful Captain

Truth is dissent, where all power resides in the Big Lie. By Allen Ginsberg Lie Big Truth Dissent Power

There is a court to which I shall appeal: the court of public opinion. By Charles Bradlaugh Appeal Opinion Court Public

Whenever we approve, we can find a hundred good reasons to justify our approbation. Whenever we dislike, we can find a thousand to justify our dislike. By Samuel Richardson Find Justify Approve Approbation Dislike

If there was ever a dissenter from the national optimismit was surely Edgar Allan Poewithout question the bravest and mostoriginal, if perhaps also the least orderly and judicious, of all the critics that we have produced. By H.l. Mencken Edgar Allan Poewithout Mostoriginal Judicious

We newspaper readers all have our pet vexations. Somewhere in one of those sections is the column we anxiously turn to for the sole purpose of disagreeing with the columnist. Volubly. By Barbara Kingsolver Vexations Newspaper Readers Pet Volubly

May we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion. By Dwight D. Eisenhower Subversion Confuse Honest Dissent Disloyal

Those who begin coercive elimination of dissent soon find themselves exterminating dissenters. Compulsory unification of opinion achieves only the unanimity of the graveyard. By Robert Jackson Dissenters Begin Coercive Elimination Dissent

The truth is not always the same as the majority decision. By Pope John Paul Ii Decision Truth Majority

The revolt against freedom, which can be traced back so far, is associated with a revolt against reason that [gives] sentiment primacy to evaluate actions and experiences according to the subjective emotions with which they are associated. By Louis J. Halle Revolt Freedom Sentiment Traced Back

Our right to disagree is precious but fragile. The best way to protect and preserve it is to let the other side speak without demonizing them or destroying their right to be heard. Such civil exchanges are the heart beat of democracy - essential to keeping it alive. By Madeleine M. Kunin Fragile Disagree Precious Heard Protect

Since no one is capable of forming his own opinion without the benefit of a multitude of opinions held by others, the rule of public opinion endangers even the opinion of those few who may have the strength not to share it. This is one of the reasons for the curiously sterile negativism of all opinions which oppose a popularly acclaimed tyranny. [ ... ] public opinion, by virtue of its unanimity, provokes a unanimous opposition and thus kills true opinions everywhere. By Hannah Arendt Opinion Opinions Public Capable Forming

The compasses are disappointingly true, pointing north over and over, when all he wants is for one to dissent, to demur, to show him the new direction he cannot find on his own. By Matt Bell True Pointing Dissent Demur Compasses

What's the matter, you dissentious rogues,That rubbing the poor itch of your opinionMake yourselves scabs? By William Shakespeare Matter Scabs Dissentious Roguesthat Rubbing

Let's sit here in hard truth and easy beauty, in the tensions of the Now and the Not Yet of the Kingdom of God, and let us discover how we can disagree beautifully. By Sarah Bessey God Kingdom Beauty Beautifully Sit

For in the absence of debate unrestricted utterance leads to the degradation of opinion. By a kind of Greshams law the more rational is overcome by the less rational, and the opinions that will prevail will be those which are held most ardently by those with the most passionate will. For that reason the freedom to speak can never be maintained merely by objecting to interference with the liberty of the press, of printing, of broadcasting, of the screen. It can be maintained only by promoting debate. By Walter Lippmann Absence Unrestricted Utterance Leads Degradation

Disagreement is something normal. By Dalai Lama Disagreement Normal