The conception that government should be guided by majority opinion makes sense only if that opinion is independent of government. read more

The conception that government should be guided by majority opinion makes sense only if that opinion is independent of government. The ideal of democracy rests on the belief that the view which will direct government emerges from an independent and spontaneous process. It requires, therefore, the existence of a large sphere independent of majority control in which the opinions of the individuals are formed.

The tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity, since the tastes, knowledge, and principles of the majority form read more

The tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity, since the tastes, knowledge, and principles of the majority form the tribunal of appeal.

A political career brings out the basest qualities in human nature.

A political career brings out the basest qualities in human nature.

The direct use of physical force is so poor a solution to the problem of limited resources that it is read more

The direct use of physical force is so poor a solution to the problem of limited resources that it is commonly employed only by small children and great nations.

An ambassador is not simply an agent; he is also a spectacle.

An ambassador is not simply an agent; he is also a spectacle.

Taxes are not levied for the benefit of the taxed.

Taxes are not levied for the benefit of the taxed.

Politics is the conduct of public affairs for private advantage.

Politics is the conduct of public affairs for private advantage.

We are as free as and free in exactly the sense that our neuronal processes are free.

We are as free as and free in exactly the sense that our neuronal processes are free.

We clamor for equality chiefly in matters in which we ourselves cannot hope to attain excellence. To discover what a read more

We clamor for equality chiefly in matters in which we ourselves cannot hope to attain excellence. To discover what a man truly craves but knows he cannot have we must find the field in which he advocates absolute equality. By this test Communists are frustrated Capitalists.