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.

While rationalism at the individual level is a plea for more personal autonomy from cultural norms, at the social level read more

While rationalism at the individual level is a plea for more personal autonomy from cultural norms, at the social level it is often a claim- or arrogation- of power to stifle the autonomy of others.

Men resort to talking only when they haven't the power to enforce their convictions upon others.

Men resort to talking only when they haven't the power to enforce their convictions upon others.

All political parties die at last of swallowing their own lies.

All political parties die at last of swallowing their own lies.

Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.

Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.

We are all in it together. This is a war. We take a few shots and it will be over. read more

We are all in it together. This is a war. We take a few shots and it will be over. We will give them a few shots and it will be over.

Socialism is Bolshevism with a shave.

Socialism is Bolshevism with a shave.

One of the most fashionable notions of our times is that social problems like poverty and oppression breed wars. Most read more

One of the most fashionable notions of our times is that social problems like poverty and oppression breed wars. Most wars, however, are started by well-fed people with time on their hands to dream up half-baked ideologies or grandiose ambitions, and to nurse real or imagined grievances.

...one of the most notable characteristics of any Age of Conflict is the effort to achieve economic expansion by political read more

...one of the most notable characteristics of any Age of Conflict is the effort to achieve economic expansion by political rather than by economic means.