No system of regulation can safely be substituted for the operation of individual liberty as expressed in competition. Louis D. Brandeis More Quotes by Louis D. Brandeis More Quotes From Louis D. Brandeis Sunshine is the greatest disinfectant Louis D. Brandeis sunshine We learned long ago that liberty could be preserved only by limiting in some way the freedom of action of individuals; that otherwise liberty would necessarily yield to absolutism; and in the same way we have learned that unless there be regulation of competition, its excesses will lead to the destruction of competition, and monopoly will take its place. Louis D. Brandeis long-agoyieldcompetition No danger flowing from speech can be deemed clear and present unless the incidence of the evil apprehended is so imminent that it may befall before there is an opportunity for full discussion. Only an emergency can justify repression. Louis D. Brandeis eviljusticeopportunity The goose that lays golden eggs has been considered a most valuable possession. But even more profitable is the privilege of taking the golden eggs laid by somebody else's goose. The investment bankers and their associates now enjoy that privilege. Louis D. Brandeis goldeneggsbankers I rise early because no day is long enough for a day's work. Louis D. Brandeis enoughworklong If you will just start with the idea that this is a hard world, it will all be much simpler. Louis D. Brandeis lifeworldideas Those who won our independence by revolution were not cowards. They did not fear political change. They did not exalt order at the cost of liberty. Louis D. Brandeis politicalcharacterorder Nearly all legislation involves a weighing of public needs as against private desires; and likewise a weighing of relative social values. Louis D. Brandeis social-valuesdesireneeds Those who won our independence by revolution were not cowards. Louis D. Brandeis independencecowardrevolution Experience should teach us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the government's purposes are beneficial. The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well meaning but without understanding. Louis D. Brandeis Organization can never be a substitute for initiative and for judgment. Louis D. Brandeis Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or ill, it teaches the whole people by its example. Louis D. Brandeis Outside of the Constitution we have no legal authority more than private citizens, and within it we have only so much as that instrument gives us. This broad principle limits all our functions and applies to all subjects. Louis D. Brandeis What is Americanization? It manifests itself, in a superficial way, when the immigrant adopts the clothes, the manners and the customs generally prevailing here. Far more important is the manifestation presented when he substitutes for his mother tongue the English language as the common medium of speech. Louis D. Brandeis clotheslanguagemotherway What are the American ideals? They are the development of the individual for his own and the common good; the development of the individual through liberty; and the attainment of the common good through democracy and social justice. Louis D. Brandeis gooddemocracydevelopmentjustice However great his outward conformity, the immigrant is not Americanized unless his interests and affections have become deeply rooted here. And we properly demand of the immigrant even more than this. He must be brought into complete harmony with our ideals and aspirations and cooperate with us for their attainment. Louis D. Brandeis immigrantmoregreatharmony We are not won by arguments that we can analyze, but by tone and temper; by the manner, which is the man himself. Louis D. Brandeis himselfwhichmantemper During most of my life, my contact with Jews and Judaism was slight. I gave little thought to their problems, save in asking myself, from time to time, whether we were showing by our lives due appreciation of the opportunities which this hospitable country affords. My approach to Zionism was through Americanism. Louis D. Brandeis myselftimeappreciationlife The difference between a nation and a nationality is clear, but it is not always observed. Likeness between members is the essence of nationality, but the members of a nation may be very different. A nation may be composed of many nationalities, as some of the most successful nations are. Louis D. Brandeis nationdifferencesomealways Let no American imagine that Zionism is inconsistent with patriotism. Multiple loyalties are objectionable only if they are inconsistent. Louis D. Brandeis americanonlypatriotismimagine
