Political Quotes

Charles Sumner: “Honest utterance generally frightens or offends the wise and prudent; but it gains the popular heart, and thus renders…”

On the record
Honest utterance generally frightens or offends the wise and prudent; but it gains the popular heart, and thus renders political parties the greatest service, though it is one they least know how to appreciate.
Said by
Charles Sumner
Massachusetts

Editor's note · Context

Sumner argues that honest speech can be unsettling to the powerful but ultimately serves the public good.

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