In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith.

J. William Fulbright
331

A free society cherishes nonconformity. It knows that from the non-conformist, from the eccentric, have come many of the great ideas of freedom. Free society must fertilize the soil in which non-conformity and dissent and individualism can grow.

Henry Steele Commager
166

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.

Jacob Bronowski
165

Dissents are appeals to the brooding spirit of the law, to the intelligence of another day.

Charles Evans Hughes
140