Rousseau had it backwards. We are NOT born free. We are born in the chains of the random and the reflexive, and are ignorant and unreasonable by simple nature. We must learn to be free, to organize the random and detect the reflexive, to acquire the knowledge of particulars and the powers of reason. The examined life is impossible if we cannot examine, order, classify, define, distinguish, always in minute particulars.
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All lasting change is incremented, based on unfolding traditions and developing institutions. Revolutionary upheavals may change how the world looks read more
All lasting change is incremented, based on unfolding traditions and developing institutions. Revolutionary upheavals may change how the world looks but seldom changes the way the world works. Lasting historical change comes not through tidal waves but through the irresistible creeping tide.
The humblest citizen of all the land when clad in the armor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all read more
The humblest citizen of all the land when clad in the armor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all the hosts of Error.
Nothing is quite so wretchedly corrupt as an aristocracy which has lost its power but kept its wealth and which read more
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.
Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.
Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.
Why do grandparents and grandchildren get along so well? They have the same enemy -- the mother.
Why do grandparents and grandchildren get along so well? They have the same enemy -- the mother.
The more the world is specialized the more it will be run by generalists.
The more the world is specialized the more it will be run by generalists.
The college idealists who fill the ranks of the environmental movement seem willing to do absolutely anything to save the read more
The college idealists who fill the ranks of the environmental movement seem willing to do absolutely anything to save the biosphere, except take science courses and learn something about it.
The function of socialism is to raise suffering to a higher level.
The function of socialism is to raise suffering to a higher level.
Power tires only those who do not have it.
Power tires only those who do not have it.
