Except in the sacred texts of democracy and in the incantations of orators, we hardly take the trouble to pretend read more

Except in the sacred texts of democracy and in the incantations of orators, we hardly take the trouble to pretend that the rule of the majority is not at bottom a rule of force. What other virtue can there be in fifty-one percent except the brute fact that fifty-one is more than forty-nine? The rule of fifty-one per cent is a convenience, it is for certain matters a satisfactory political device, it is for others the lesser of two evils, and for others it is acceptable because we do not know any less troublesome method of obtaining a political decision. But it may easily become an absurd tyranny if we regard it worshipfully, as though it were more than a political device. We have lost all sense of its true meaning when we imagine that the opinion of fifty-one per cent is in some high fashion the true opinion of the whole hundred per cent, or indulge in the sophistry that the rule of a majority is based upon the ultimate equality of man.

There is nothing an economist should fear so much as applause.

There is nothing an economist should fear so much as applause.

Watergate showed more strengths in our system than weaknesses... The whole country did take part in quite a genuine sense read more

Watergate showed more strengths in our system than weaknesses... The whole country did take part in quite a genuine sense in passing judgment on Richard Nixon.

Where does virgin wool come from? The sheep that runs the fastest.

Where does virgin wool come from? The sheep that runs the fastest.

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."N. B.: This read more

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."N. B.: This quote is commonly attributed to Voltaire, but it is not found in his writing. - The Friends of Voltaire.

In Germany, they first came for the communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then they read more

In Germany, they first came for the communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Catholic. Then they came for me -- and by that time there was nobody left to speak up.

The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry.

The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry.

In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith.

In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith.

Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.

Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.