The essential characteristic of Western civilization that distinguishes it from the arrested and petrified civilizations of the East was and is its concern for freedom from the state. The history of the West, from the age of the Greek polis down to the present-day resistance to socialism, is essentially the history of the fight for liberty against the encroachments of the officeholders.
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Individuality is freedom lived.
Individuality is freedom lived.
Expecting a carjacker or rapist or drug pusher to care that his possession or use of a gun is unlawful read more
Expecting a carjacker or rapist or drug pusher to care that his possession or use of a gun is unlawful is like expecting a terrorist to care that his car bomb is taking up two parking spaces. - "Usenet posting in talk.politics.guns".
Where freedom is real, equality is the passion of the masses. Where equality is real, freedom is the passion of read more
Where freedom is real, equality is the passion of the masses. Where equality is real, freedom is the passion of a small minority.
Quemadmodum gladius neminem occidit, occidentis telum est."
Latin: "A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's read more
Quemadmodum gladius neminem occidit, occidentis telum est."
Latin: "A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Letters to Lucilius.
At least one way of measuring the freedom of any society is the amount of comedy that is permitted, and read more
At least one way of measuring the freedom of any society is the amount of comedy that is permitted, and clearly a healthy society permits more satirical comment than a repressive, so that if comedy is to function in some way as a safety release then it must obviously deal with these taboo areas. This is part of the responsibility we accord our licensed jesters, that nothing be excused the searching light of comedy. If anything can survive the probe of humour it is clearly of value, and conversely all groups who claim immunity from laughter are claiming special privileges which should not be granted.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that read more
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
The problem with political jokes is they get elected.
The problem with political jokes is they get elected.
History is a relentless master. It has no present, only the past rushing into the future. To try to hold read more
History is a relentless master. It has no present, only the past rushing into the future. To try to hold fast is to be swept aside.
Force is the antithesis of freedom, but force must be used, if only to defend against other force.
Force is the antithesis of freedom, but force must be used, if only to defend against other force.
