The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man falsely shouting fire in a theatre and causing a panic... The question in every case is whether the words used are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Schenck v. United States

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Jr. United States, Supreme Court. Schenck v. United States. United States Reports, vol. 249, 3 Mar. 1919, pp. 47-53. Justia, supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/249/47/.