Charles Evans Hughes quotes - page 2

Charles Evans Hughes was an American statesman, lawyer, and jurist who served as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Known for his integrity and intellect, he played a prominent role in American public life, including as Secretary of State and a presidential candidate. He left a lasting impact on American law and governance. Here are 40 of his quotes:

We may gain something in our quest for peace if we recognize at once that war is not an abnormality. In the truest sense, it is not the mere play of brute force. It is the expression of the insistent human will, inflexible in its purpose. When we consider the inability to maintain a just peace attests to the failure of civilization itself, we may be less confident of the success of any artificial contrivances to prevent war.

Charles Evans Hughes

There is no path to peace except as the will of peoples may open to it. The way of peace is through agreement, not through force.

Charles Evans Hughes

We still proclaim the old ideals of liberty but we cannot voice them without anxiety in our hearts. The question is no longer one of establishing democratic institutions but of preserving them.

Charles Evans Hughes

It is not surprising that many should be captivated by the proposal, with its delusive simplicity and adequacey, for the outlawry of war. War should be made a crime, and those who instigate it should be punished as criminals. The suggestion, however futile in itself, has at least the merit of bringing us to the core of the problem.

Charles Evans Hughes

The most ominous spirit of our times, as it seems to me, is the indication of the growth of an intolerent spirit.

Charles Evans Hughes

The greater the importance of safeguarding the community from incitements to the overthrow of our institutions by force and violence, the more imperative is the need to preserve inviolate the constitutional rights of free speech, free press and free assembly in order to maintain the opportunity for free political discussion, to the end that government may be responsive to the will of the people and that changes, if desired, may be obtained by peaceful means. Therein lies the security of the Republic, the very foundation of constitutional government.

Charles Evans Hughes

No greater mistake can be made than to think that our institutions are fixed or may not be changed for the worse.

Charles Evans Hughes

The only real progress to abiding peace is found in the friendly disposition of peoples and ... facilities for maintaining peace are useful only to the extent that this friendly disposition exists and finds expression.

Charles Evans Hughes

Great powers agreeing among themselves may indeed hold small powers in check. But who will hold great powers in check when great powers disagree?

Charles Evans Hughes

The pathway of peace is the longest and most beset with obstacles the human race has to tread; the goal may be distant, but we must press on.

Charles Evans Hughes

Freedom of expression gives the essential democratic opportunity, but self-restraint is the essential civic discipline.

Charles Evans Hughes

Time has shown how illusory are alliances of great powers so far as the maintenance of peace is concerned. In considering the use of international force to secure peace, we are again brought to the fundamental necessity of common accord.

Charles Evans Hughes

The restraints they may be willing to place upon themselves will always be subject to such conditions as will leave them able to afford self-protection by force, and in this freedom there is abundant room for strife sought to be justified by deep-seated convictions of national interests, by long-standing grievances by the apprehension of aggression to be forestalled.

Charles Evans Hughes