Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

23 Notable Quotes By Clarence Darrow

Famous As: Lawyer
Born On: April 18, 1857
Died On: March 13, 1938
Born In: Kinsman Township
Died At Age: 80

Clarence Darrow was a prolific American lawyer and a prominent member of the American Civil Liberties Union. Darrow gained reputation of defending criminals in high profile cases such as advocating for Ossian Sweet and John T. Scopes in the Scopes "Monkey" Trial and teenage thrill killers Leopold and Loeb for murdering Robert Franks. Tagged as the “sophisticated country lawyer”, Darrow had been extrusive in his support for Georgist Economic Reform. His other works include hardbacks such as Crime: Its Cause and Treatment, The Myth of the Soul and Closing Arguments on Religion, Law and Society. He is remembered for being the greatest criminal defense lawyer and a vicious litigator, who won many cases single handedly, against all odds. Many onscreen adaptation of his high profile cases have been showcased in movies such as Compulsion, Alleged and Defendant: Clarence Darrow. Zoom through these lines from this fierce advocate.

I have always felt that doubt was the beginning of wisdom, and the fear of God was the end of wisdom.

I have always felt that doubt was the beginning of wisdom, and the fear of God was the end of wisdom.

Clarence Darrow
I do not consider it an insult, but rather a compliment to be called an agnostic. I do not pretend to know where many ignorant men are sure — that is all that agnosticism means.

I do not consider it an insult, but rather a compliment to be called an agnostic. I do not pretend to know where many ignorant men are sure — that is all that agnosticism means.

Clarence Darrow
You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man's freedom. You can only be free if I am free.

You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man's freedom. You can only be free if I am free.

Clarence Darrow
The world is made up for the most part of morons and natural tyrants, sure of themselves, strong in their own opinions, never doubting anything.

The world is made up for the most part of morons and natural tyrants, sure of themselves, strong in their own opinions, never doubting anything.

Clarence Darrow
The fear of God is not the beginning of wisdom. The fear of God is the death of wisdom. Skepticism and doubt lead to study and investigation, and investigation is the beginning of wisdom.

The fear of God is not the beginning of wisdom. The fear of God is the death of wisdom. Skepticism and doubt lead to study and investigation, and investigation is the beginning of wisdom.

Clarence Darrow
When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President. I’m beginning to believe it.

When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President. I’m beginning to believe it.

Clarence Darrow
Chase after the truth like all hell and you’ll free yourself, even though you never touch its coat tails.

Chase after the truth like all hell and you’ll free yourself, even though you never touch its coat tails.

Clarence Darrow
It’s not bad people I fear so much as good people. When a person is sure that he is good, he is nearly hopeless; he gets cruel- he believes in punishment.

It’s not bad people I fear so much as good people. When a person is sure that he is good, he is nearly hopeless; he gets cruel- he believes in punishment.

Clarence Darrow
Even if you do learn to speak correct English, whom are you going to speak it to?

Even if you do learn to speak correct English, whom are you going to speak it to?

Clarence Darrow
I have suffered from being misunderstood, but I would have suffered a hell of a lot more if I had been understood.

I have suffered from being misunderstood, but I would have suffered a hell of a lot more if I had been understood.

Clarence Darrow
Nothing is so loved by tyrants as obedient subjects.

Nothing is so loved by tyrants as obedient subjects.

Clarence Darrow
The purpose of man is like the purpose of a pollywog - to wiggle along as far as he can without dying; or, to hang to life until death takes him.

The purpose of man is like the purpose of a pollywog - to wiggle along as far as he can without dying; or, to hang to life until death takes him.

Clarence Darrow
As long as the world shall last there will be wrongs, and if no man objected and if no man rebelled, those wrongs would last forever.

As long as the world shall last there will be wrongs, and if no man objected and if no man rebelled, those wrongs would last forever.

Clarence Darrow
History repeats itself. That's one of the things wrong with history.

History repeats itself. That's one of the things wrong with history.

Clarence Darrow
You can only be free if I am free.

You can only be free if I am free.

Clarence Darrow
The true man neither guiltily conceals nor anxiously explains nor vulgarly parades.

The true man neither guiltily conceals nor anxiously explains nor vulgarly parades.

Clarence Darrow
Sympathy is the child of imagination

Sympathy is the child of imagination

Clarence Darrow
A criminal is a person with predatory instincts; but, without sufficient capital to form a corporation.

A criminal is a person with predatory instincts; but, without sufficient capital to form a corporation.

Clarence Darrow
I believe that religion is the belief in future life and in God. I don't believe in either. I don't believe in God as I don’t believe in Mother Goose.

I believe that religion is the belief in future life and in God. I don't believe in either. I don't believe in God as I don’t believe in Mother Goose.

Clarence Darrow
Ignorance and fanaticism is ever busy and needs feeding. Always it is feeding and gloating for more.

Ignorance and fanaticism is ever busy and needs feeding. Always it is feeding and gloating for more.

Clarence Darrow
It does not make much difference what kind of a law we make as long as the judges tell us what it means.

It does not make much difference what kind of a law we make as long as the judges tell us what it means.

Clarence Darrow
No law was ever made by the people; they are made for the people

No law was ever made by the people; they are made for the people

Clarence Darrow
Money has been the most serious handicap that we have ever met. There are times when poverty is fortunate

Money has been the most serious handicap that we have ever met. There are times when poverty is fortunate

Clarence Darrow