The successful politician owes his power to the fact that he moves within the accepted framework of thought, that he thinks and talks conventionally. It would be almost a contradiction in terms for a politician to be a leader in the field of ideas. His task in a democracy is to find out what the opinions held by the largest number are, not to give currency to new opinions which may become the majority view in some distant future.
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The ingrained idea that, because there is no king and they despise titles, the Americans are a free people is read more
The ingrained idea that, because there is no king and they despise titles, the Americans are a free people is pathetically untrue. There is a perpetual interference with personal liberty over there that would not be tolerated in England for a week.
The secret of getting things done is to act!
The secret of getting things done is to act!
Various kinds of ideas can be classified by their relationship to the authentication process. There are ideas systematically prepared for read more
Various kinds of ideas can be classified by their relationship to the authentication process. There are ideas systematically prepared for authentication ("theories"), ideas not derived from any systematic process ("visions"), ideas which could not survive any reasonable authentication process ("illusions"), ideas which exempt themselves from any authentication process ("myths"), ideas which have already passed authentication processes ("facts"), as well as ideas known to have failed- or certain to fail- such processes ("falsehoods" - both mistakes and lies).
The US has a vital interest in that area of the country [Latin America].
The US has a vital interest in that area of the country [Latin America].
The better part of statesmanship might be to know clearly and precisely what not to do.
The better part of statesmanship might be to know clearly and precisely what not to do.
A liberal is a man or a woman or a child who looks forward to a better day, a more read more
A liberal is a man or a woman or a child who looks forward to a better day, a more tranquil night, and a bright, infinite future.
The art of the indirect approach can only be mastered, and its full scope appreciated, by study of and reflection read more
The art of the indirect approach can only be mastered, and its full scope appreciated, by study of and reflection upon the whole history of war. But we can at least crystallize the lessons into two simple maxims- one negative, the other positive. The first is that, in face of the overwhelming evidence of history, no general is justified in launching his troops to a direct attack upon an enemy firmly in position. The second, that instead of seeking to upset the enemy's equilibrium by one's attack, it must be upset before a real attack is, or can be successfully launched.
Helplessness induces hopelessness, and history attests that loss of hope and not loss of lives is what decides the issue read more
Helplessness induces hopelessness, and history attests that loss of hope and not loss of lives is what decides the issue of war.
There are two methods, or means, and only two, whereby man's needs and desires can be satisfied. One is the read more
There are two methods, or means, and only two, whereby man's needs and desires can be satisfied. One is the production and exchange of wealth; this is the economic means. The other is the uncompensated appropriation of wealth produced by others; this is the political means.
