 Thus to attribute to him ideas he may never have thought, let alone have expressed, is a somewhat dubious misattribution and over-interpretation.He said that freedom of speech was a vital way to develop talents and realise a person's potential and creativity.He repeatedly said that eccentricity was preferable to uniformity and stagnation.The belief that freedom of speech would advance society presupposed a society sufficiently culturally and institutionally advanced to be capable of progressive improvement.