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    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.

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  10  /  24  

...the argument for liberty is not an argument against organization, which is one of the most powerful tools human reason read more

...the argument for liberty is not an argument against organization, which is one of the most powerful tools human reason can employ, but an argument against all exclusive, privileged, monopolistic organization, against the use of coercion to prevent others from doing better.

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I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.

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If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.

If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.

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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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The feelings, sentiments, values and responses of our children, or of any citizen, are none of the government's damned business. read more

The feelings, sentiments, values and responses of our children, or of any citizen, are none of the government's damned business. That we must support a government agency that gives itself to the emotional and ideological manipulation of citizens is infamous.

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Free speech is not to be regulated like diseased cattle and impure butter. The audience that hissed yesterday may applaud read more

Free speech is not to be regulated like diseased cattle and impure butter. The audience that hissed yesterday may applaud today, even for the same performance.

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He too serves a certain purpose who only stands and cheers.

He too serves a certain purpose who only stands and cheers.

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The soil of their native land is dear to all the hearts of mankind.

The soil of their native land is dear to all the hearts of mankind.

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Why do grandparents and grandchildren get along so well? They have the same enemy -- the mother.

Why do grandparents and grandchildren get along so well? They have the same enemy -- the mother.

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