Ian White1/20/2011: Clarence Darrow
Clarence Seward Darrow (April 18, 1857 – March 13, 1938) was an American lawyer and leading member of the American Civil Liberties Union, best known for defending teenage thrill killers Leopold and Loeb in their trial for murdering 14-year-old Bobby Franks (1924) and defending John T. Scopes in the Scopes Trial (1925), in which he opposed William Jennings Bryan (statesman, noted orator, and three time presidential candidate for the Democratic Party). Called a "sophisticated country lawyer",he remains notable for his wit and agnosticism, which marked him as one of the most famous American lawyers and civil libertarians.
I am an agnostic; I do not pretend to know what many ignorant men are sure of.
I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.
I have suffered from being misunderstood, but I would have suffered a hell of a lot more if I had been understood.
If a man is happy in America, it is considered he is doing something wrong.
Just think of the tragedy of teaching children not to doubt.
Someday I hope to write a book where the royalties will pay for the copies I give away.
The first half of our lives are ruined by our parents and the second half by our children.
The law does not pretend to punish everything that is dishonest. That would seriously interfere with business.
The pursuit of truth will set you free; even if you never catch up with it.
You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man's freedom.
No other offense has ever been visited with such severe penalties as seeking to help the oppressed.
When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President; I'm beginning to believe it.
