You are here
When the speech condemns a free press...(Spurious Quotation)
Quotation: "When the speech condemns a free press, you are hearing the words of a tyrant."
Variations: “Speech that condemns a free press are the words of a tyrant” [sic].
Sources consulted:
- Founders Online
- Thomas Jefferson Retirement papers
Earliest known appearance in print: N/A
Comments: This quotation has not been found in the writings of Thomas Jefferson. Its earliest known appearance to date is a meme generated in late February 2017.1 It apparently spread from there to Twitter, with a few usages in March and then a flurry of appearances in late June and July 2017. Its ultimate origin is unknown.2
Further Sources
- Thomas Jefferson Foundation. Quotes and Family Letters Database. Search for Jefferson quotes by keyword or topic; quotes are vetted by Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series editors.
- 1. Imgflip, "Thomas Jefferson Tyrant Quote."
- 2. The earliest located appearance on Twitter is March 7, 2017.
Filed In:
Spurious Quotations