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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We once worried that democracy could not survive if an undereducated populace knew too little. Now we worry if it read more
We once worried that democracy could not survive if an undereducated populace knew too little. Now we worry if it can survive us knowing too much.
The danger inherent in reform is that the cure may be worse than the disease. Reform is an operation on read more
The danger inherent in reform is that the cure may be worse than the disease. Reform is an operation on the social body; but unlike medical surgeons, reformers are not on guard against unpredictable side effects which may divert the course of reform toward unwanted results. Moreover, quite often the social doctors become part of the disease.
The tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity, since the tastes, knowledge, and principles of the majority form read more
The tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity, since the tastes, knowledge, and principles of the majority form the tribunal of appeal.
...economic history is a long record of government policies that failed because they were designed with a bold disregard for read more
...economic history is a long record of government policies that failed because they were designed with a bold disregard for the laws of economics.
If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.
If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.
In Germany, they first came for the communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then they read more
In Germany, they first came for the communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Catholic. Then they came for me -- and by that time there was nobody left to speak up.
Power is not revealed by striking hard or often, but by striking true.
Power is not revealed by striking hard or often, but by striking true.
I can take it... The tougher it gets, the cooler I get...
I can take it... The tougher it gets, the cooler I get...
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.
