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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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  13  /  18  

Capital is a result of labor, and is used by labor to assist it in further production. Labor is the read more

Capital is a result of labor, and is used by labor to assist it in further production. Labor is the active and initial force, and labor is therefore the employer of capital.

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  6  /  15  

There is no slavery but ignorance.

There is no slavery but ignorance.

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  13  /  9  

Force is the antithesis of freedom, but force must be used, if only to defend against other force.

Force is the antithesis of freedom, but force must be used, if only to defend against other force.

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  12  /  17  

The more corrupt the State the more numerous the laws.

The more corrupt the State the more numerous the laws.

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  8  /  18  

It seems that an essential condition for crises is to be found in the existence of a highly developed system read more

It seems that an essential condition for crises is to be found in the existence of a highly developed system of communications and the spreading of a homogenous mentality over vast areas.But when the hour and the right material are at hand, the contagion spreads with the speed of electricity over hundreds of miles, and affects the most diverse populations, which hardly know each other. The message flies through the air and they all suddenly agree on that one issue, if only a sulky admission that "there's got to be a change.".

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  5  /  19  

Be England what she will, with all her faults she is my country still.

Be England what she will, with all her faults she is my country still.

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  12  /  16  

Intelligence has nothing to do with politics.

Intelligence has nothing to do with politics.

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  9  /  12  

I'd rather keep my promises to other politicians than to God. God, at least, has a degree of forgiveness.

I'd rather keep my promises to other politicians than to God. God, at least, has a degree of forgiveness.

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  6  /  18  

We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur.

We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur.

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