Quotes from Earl Warren

Prior to any questioning, the person must be warned that he has a right to remain silent, that any statement he does make may be used as evidence against him and that he has a right to the presence of an attorney, either retained or appointed.

Many people consider the things government does for them to be social progress but they regard the things government does for others as socialism.

A republic is not an easy form of government to live under, and when the responsibility of citizenship is evaded, democracy decays and authoritarianism takes over.

I believe no one can read the history of our country without realizing that the Good Book and the spirit of the Savior have from the beginning been our guiding geniuses.

It would indeed be ironic if, in the name of national defence, we would sanction the subversion of one of those liberties which make the defence of our nation worthwhile.

The censor's sword pierces deeply into the heart of free expression.

It is the spirit and not the form of law that keeps justice alive.

Everything I did in my life that was worthwhile, I caught hell for.

In these days, it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education.

In civilized life, law floats in a sea of ethics.

I always turn to the sports pages first, which records people's accomplishments. The front page has nothing but man's failures.

The police must obey the law while enforcing the law.

We may not know the whole story in our lifetime.

The success of any legal system is measured by its fidelity to the universal ideal of justice.

To separate [black children] from others of similar age and qualifications solely because of their race generates a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the community that may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone…. We conclude that in the field of public education the doctrine of "separate but equal" has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.

Legislators represent people, not trees or acres.

The most tragic paradox of our time is to be found in the failure of nation-states to recognize the imperatives of internationalism.

Ben Franklin may have discovered electricity- but it is the man who invented the meter who made the money.

I hate banks. They do nothing positive for anybody except take care of themselves. They're first in with their fees and first out when there's trouble.

It is the spirit and not the form of law that keeps justice alive.

We conclude that in the field of public education the doctrine of 'separate but equal' has no place.

To separate children from others of similar age and qualifications solely because of their race generates a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the community that may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone.

All provisions of federal, state or local law requiring or permitting discrimination in public education must yield.

Many people consider the things government does for them to be social progress but they regard the things government does for others as socialism.