Force is the antithesis of freedom, but force must be used, if only to defend against other force.

Force is the antithesis of freedom, but force must be used, if only to defend against other force.

Envy plus rhetoric equals "social justice.".

Envy plus rhetoric equals "social justice.".

Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

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.

Power corrupts. Absolute power is kind of neat.

Power corrupts. Absolute power is kind of neat.

...the argument for liberty is not an argument against organization, which is one of the most powerful tools human reason read more

...the argument for liberty is not an argument against organization, which is one of the most powerful tools human reason can employ, but an argument against all exclusive, privileged, monopolistic organization, against the use of coercion to prevent others from doing better.

Every St. Patrick's Day every Irishman goes out to find another Irishman to make a speech to.

Every St. Patrick's Day every Irishman goes out to find another Irishman to make a speech to.

Political scientists almost everywhere have promoted the expansion of government power. They have functioned as the clergy of oppression.

Political scientists almost everywhere have promoted the expansion of government power. They have functioned as the clergy of oppression.

A conservative is a man who just sits and thinks, mostly sits.

A conservative is a man who just sits and thinks, mostly sits.