Nothing is quite so wretchedly corrupt as an aristocracy which has lost its power but kept its wealth and which still has endless leisure to devote to nothing but banal enjoyments. All its great thoughts and passionate energy are things of the past, and nothing but a host of petty, gnawing vices now cling to it like worms to a corpse.
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It is a besetting vice of democracies to substitute public opinion for law. This is the usual form in which read more
It is a besetting vice of democracies to substitute public opinion for law. This is the usual form in which masses of men exhibit their tyranny.
Those who lack the capacity to achieve much in an atmosphere of freedom will clamor for power.
Those who lack the capacity to achieve much in an atmosphere of freedom will clamor for power.
In modern war, the longest purse decides oftener than the longest sword.
In modern war, the longest purse decides oftener than the longest sword.
Welcome to President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and my fellow astronauts.
Welcome to President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and my fellow astronauts.
War will never cease until babies begin to come into the world with larger cerebrums and smaller adrenal glands.
War will never cease until babies begin to come into the world with larger cerebrums and smaller adrenal glands.
Who overcomesBy force, hath overcome but half his foe.
Who overcomesBy force, hath overcome but half his foe.
Absolute power corrupts even when exercised for humane purposes. The benevolent despot who sees himself as a shepherd of the read more
Absolute power corrupts even when exercised for humane purposes. The benevolent despot who sees himself as a shepherd of the people still demands from others the submissiveness of sheep.
Free institutions are not the property of any majority. They do not confer upon majorities unlimited powers. The rights of read more
Free institutions are not the property of any majority. They do not confer upon majorities unlimited powers. The rights of the majority are limited rights. They are limited not only by the constitutional guarantees but by the moral principle implied in those guarantees. That principle is that men may not use the facilities of liberty to impair them. No man may invoke a right in order to destroy it.
...if we wish to preserve a free society, it is essential that we recognize that the desirability of a particular read more
...if we wish to preserve a free society, it is essential that we recognize that the desirability of a particular object is not sufficient justification for the use of coercion.
