The plans differ; the planners are all alike...

The plans differ; the planners are all alike...

...we are apt to forget that the vast majority of men and women who fell under the totalitarian spell was read more

...we are apt to forget that the vast majority of men and women who fell under the totalitarian spell was activated by unselfish motives, ready to accept the role of martyr or executioner, as the cause demanded.

It is a dangerous and idle dream to think that the state can become rule by philosophers turned kings or read more

It is a dangerous and idle dream to think that the state can become rule by philosophers turned kings or scientists turned commissars. For if philosophers become kings or scientists commissars, they become politicians, and the powers given to the state are powers given to men who are rulers of states, men subject to all the limitations and temptations of their dangerous craft. Unless this is borne in mind, there will be a dangerous optimistic tendency to sweep aside doubts and fears as irrelevant, since, in the state that the projectors have in mind, power will be exercised by men of a wisdom and degree of moral virtue that we have not yet seen. It won't. It will be exercised by men who will be men first and rulers next and scientists and saints long after.

There is no such thing as a nonpolitical speech by a politician.

There is no such thing as a nonpolitical speech by a politician.

...no civilized society can long exist, with an active power in its bosom that is stronger than the law.

...no civilized society can long exist, with an active power in its bosom that is stronger than the law.

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.

The incestuous relationship between government and big business thrives in the dark.

The incestuous relationship between government and big business thrives in the dark.

In politics it is necessary either to betray one's country or the electorate. I prefer to betray the electorate.

In politics it is necessary either to betray one's country or the electorate. I prefer to betray the electorate.

Without liberty, law loses its nature and its name, and becomes oppression. Without law, liberty also loses its nature and read more

Without liberty, law loses its nature and its name, and becomes oppression. Without law, liberty also loses its nature and its name, and becomes licentiousness.