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    Except in the sacred texts of democracy and in the incantations of orators, we hardly take the trouble to pretend that the rule of the majority is not at bottom a rule of force. What other virtue can there be in fifty-one percent except the brute fact that fifty-one is more than forty-nine? The rule of fifty-one per cent is a convenience, it is for certain matters a satisfactory political device, it is for others the lesser of two evils, and for others it is acceptable because we do not know any less troublesome method of obtaining a political decision. But it may easily become an absurd tyranny if we regard it worshipfully, as though it were more than a political device. We have lost all sense of its true meaning when we imagine that the opinion of fifty-one per cent is in some high fashion the true opinion of the whole hundred per cent, or indulge in the sophistry that the rule of a majority is based upon the ultimate equality of man.

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  21  /  18  

We hold that the reckless disregard for human life implicit in knowingly engaging in criminal activity known to carry a read more

We hold that the reckless disregard for human life implicit in knowingly engaging in criminal activity known to carry a grave risk of death represents a highly culpable mental state that may be taken into account in making a capital sentencing judgment not inevitable, lethal result.

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  15  /  15  

Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.

Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.

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  14  /  20  

Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright read more

Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.

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  9  /  11  

Capitalism without bankruptcy is like Christianity without hell.

Capitalism without bankruptcy is like Christianity without hell.

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  9  /  21  

Activate yourself to duty by remembering your position, who you are, and what you have obliged yourself to be.

Activate yourself to duty by remembering your position, who you are, and what you have obliged yourself to be.

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  9  /  14  

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty read more

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

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  8  /  19  

Freedom has cost too much blood and agony to be relinquished at the cheap price of rhetoric.

Freedom has cost too much blood and agony to be relinquished at the cheap price of rhetoric.

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  15  /  13  

This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of read more

This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer.

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  7  /  13  

There is all the difference in the world between treating people equally and attempting to make them equal.

There is all the difference in the world between treating people equally and attempting to make them equal.

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