If the small minority of enlightened citizens who are able to conceive sound principles of political management do not succeed read more

If the small minority of enlightened citizens who are able to conceive sound principles of political management do not succeed in winning the support of their fellow citizens and converting them to the endorsement of policies that bring and preserve prosperity, the cause of mankind and civilization is hopeless. There is no other means to safeguard a propitious development of human affairs than to make the masses of inferior people adopt the ideas of the elite. This has to be achieved by convincing them. It cannot be accomplished by a despotic regime that instead of enlightening the masses beats them into submission. In the long run the ideas of the majority, however detrimental they may be, will carry on. The future of mankind depends on the ability of the elite to influence public opinion in the right direction.

That government is best which governs least.

That government is best which governs least.

We are the people our parents warned us about.

We are the people our parents warned us about.

The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will read more

The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on.

Love your enemies just in case your friends turn out to be a bunch of bastards.

Love your enemies just in case your friends turn out to be a bunch of bastards.

If there were a verb meaning "to believe falsely," it would not have any significant first person, present indicative.

If there were a verb meaning "to believe falsely," it would not have any significant first person, present indicative.

A family on the throne is an interesting idea. It brings down the pride of sovereignty to the level of read more

A family on the throne is an interesting idea. It brings down the pride of sovereignty to the level of petty life.

If we would have civilization and the exertion indispensable to its success, we must have property; if we have property, read more

If we would have civilization and the exertion indispensable to its success, we must have property; if we have property, we must have its rights; if we have the rights of property, we must take those consequences of the rights of property which are inseparable from the rights themselves.

For Americans war is almost all of the time a nuisance, and military skill is a luxury like Mah-Jongg. But read more

For Americans war is almost all of the time a nuisance, and military skill is a luxury like Mah-Jongg. But when the issue is brought home to them, war becomes as important, for the necessary period, as business or sport. And it is hard to decide which is likely to be the more ominous for the Axis -- an American decision that this is sport, or that it is business. - The American Character.