Maxioms Pet

X
  •   12  /  20  

    It is the very essence of despotism that it can never afford to fail. This is what distinguishes it most vitally from democracy. In a despotism there is no organized opposition which can take over the power when the Administration in office has failed. All the eggs are in one basket. Everything is staked on one coterie of men. When the going is good, they move more quickly and efficiently than democracies, where the opposition has to be persuaded and conciliated. But when they lose, there are no reserves. There are no substitutes on the bench ready to go out on the field and carry the ball. That is why democracies with the habit of party government have outlived all other forms of government in the modern world. They have, as it were, at least two governments always at hand, and when one fails they have the other. They have diversified the risks of mortality, corruption, and stupidity which pervade all human affairs. They have remembered that the most beautifully impressive machine cannot run for very long unless there is available a complete supply of spare parts.

Share to:

You May Also Like   /   View all maxioms

  ( comments )
  31  /  36  

Fortunately for themselves and for the world, nearly all men are cowards and dare not act on what they believe. read more

Fortunately for themselves and for the world, nearly all men are cowards and dare not act on what they believe. Nearly all our disasters come of a few fools having the "courage of their convictions.".

  ( comments )
  11  /  13  

Equality, in a social sense, may be divided into that of condition, and that of rights. Equality of condition is read more

Equality, in a social sense, may be divided into that of condition, and that of rights. Equality of condition is incompatible with civilization, and is found only to exist in those communities that are but slightly removed from the savage state. In practice, it can only mean a common misery.

  ( comments )
  5  /  12  

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.

  ( comments )
  7  /  21  

God himself has no right to be a tyrant.

God himself has no right to be a tyrant.

  ( comments )
  15  /  18  

The reason there are so few female politicians is that it is too much trouble to put makeup on two read more

The reason there are so few female politicians is that it is too much trouble to put makeup on two faces.

  ( comments )
  8  /  14  

All the president is, is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing, and kicking people to read more

All the president is, is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing, and kicking people to get them to do what they are supposed to do anyway.

  ( comments )
  8  /  18  

I am working for the time when unqualified blacks, browns, and women join the unqualified men in running our government.

I am working for the time when unqualified blacks, browns, and women join the unqualified men in running our government.

  ( comments )
  22  /  30  

I can see clearly now ... that I was wrong in not acting more decisively and more forthrightly in dealing read more

I can see clearly now ... that I was wrong in not acting more decisively and more forthrightly in dealing with Watergate...

  ( comments )
  24  /  24  

All revolutions...have been led by persons who knew oppression well, but not on their own skin.

All revolutions...have been led by persons who knew oppression well, but not on their own skin.

Maxioms Web Pet