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    At least one way of measuring the freedom of any society is the amount of comedy that is permitted, and clearly a healthy society permits more satirical comment than a repressive, so that if comedy is to function in some way as a safety release then it must obviously deal with these taboo areas. This is part of the responsibility we accord our licensed jesters, that nothing be excused the searching light of comedy. If anything can survive the probe of humour it is clearly of value, and conversely all groups who claim immunity from laughter are claiming special privileges which should not be granted.

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  8  /  26  

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.

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Force and fraud are in war the two cardinal virtues.

Force and fraud are in war the two cardinal virtues.

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...a man's worst difficulties begin when he is able to do as he likes.

...a man's worst difficulties begin when he is able to do as he likes.

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The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry.

The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry.

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[expressing John Locke's view]...whenever anyone threatens any other innocent human in a way that makes manifest an ignorance or disregard read more

[expressing John Locke's view]...whenever anyone threatens any other innocent human in a way that makes manifest an ignorance or disregard of the fundamental equality as regards the right to self-preservation, the creature in human shape who acts in this way is to be treated by any and all other rational humans as a wild, clever, and therefore very dangerous animal, to be destroyed (if necessary) in order to safeguard the rest.

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A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn't like the tune.

A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn't like the tune.

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The deadliest foe of democracy is not autocracy but liberty frenzied.

The deadliest foe of democracy is not autocracy but liberty frenzied.

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The function of socialism is to raise suffering to a higher level.

The function of socialism is to raise suffering to a higher level.

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Diplomats were invented simply to waste time.

Diplomats were invented simply to waste time.

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