340 – “Ultimate futility of such attempts to compel coherence is the lesson of every such effort from the Roman drive to stamp out Christianity as a disturber of its pagan unity, the Inquisition, as a means to religious and dynastic unity, the Siberian exiles as a means to Russian unity, down to the fast failing efforts of our present totalitarian enemies. Those who begin coercive elimination of dissent soon find themselves exterminating dissenters. Compulsory unification of opinion achieves only the unanimity of the graveyard.”

–Robert H Jackson, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

Quote Number:  1085

Source: Jackson, Robert. “Opinion.” 319 U.S. 624 (West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette). June 14, 1943. Online Here

Source Notes: