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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In republican governments, men are all equal; equal they are also is despotic governments: in the former, because they are read more
In republican governments, men are all equal; equal they are also is despotic governments: in the former, because they are everything; in the latter, because they are nothing.
To make laws that man cannot, and will not obey, serves to bring all law into contempt.
To make laws that man cannot, and will not obey, serves to bring all law into contempt.
Quemadmodum gladius neminem occidit, occidentis telum est."
Latin: "A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's read more
Quemadmodum gladius neminem occidit, occidentis telum est."
Latin: "A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Letters to Lucilius.
The search for moral guidance which shall not depend upon external authority has invariably ended in the acknowledgment of some read more
The search for moral guidance which shall not depend upon external authority has invariably ended in the acknowledgment of some new authority.
I gave 'em a sword. And they stuck it in, and they twisted it with relish. And I guess if read more
I gave 'em a sword. And they stuck it in, and they twisted it with relish. And I guess if I had been in their position, I'd have done the same thing.
Tauzin backs term limits -- But he thinks it's a bad idea.
Tauzin backs term limits -- But he thinks it's a bad idea.
...this is precisely the purpose of censorship- not only to block unwanted views, but to keep people who are unhappy read more
...this is precisely the purpose of censorship- not only to block unwanted views, but to keep people who are unhappy from knowing how many millions of others share their unhappiness; to keep the dormant opposition from awakening to its own developing strength.
Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If read more
Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
In a democracy dissent is an act of faith. Like medicine, the test of its value is not in its read more
In a democracy dissent is an act of faith. Like medicine, the test of its value is not in its taste, but in its effects.
