When under the pretext of fraternity, the legal code imposes mutual sacrifices on the citizens, human nature is not thereby abrogated. Everyone will then direct his efforts toward contributing little to, and taking much from, the common fund of sacrifices. Now, is it the most unfortunate who gains from this struggle? Certainly not, but rather the most influential and calculating.
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Science does not give us absolute and final certainty. It only gives us assurance within the limits of our mental read more
Science does not give us absolute and final certainty. It only gives us assurance within the limits of our mental abilities and the prevailing state of scientific thought.
There is no great concurrence between learning and wisdom.
There is no great concurrence between learning and wisdom.
First we form habits, then they form us. Conquer your bad habits, or they'll eventually conquer you.
First we form habits, then they form us. Conquer your bad habits, or they'll eventually conquer you.
The class of those who have the ability to think their own thoughts is separated by an unbridgeable gulf from read more
The class of those who have the ability to think their own thoughts is separated by an unbridgeable gulf from the class of those who cannot.
...ideas have a tendency to live lives of their own, and having become a part of tradition, they are very read more
...ideas have a tendency to live lives of their own, and having become a part of tradition, they are very difficult to root out. When summarized in a few neat words or phrases, these gems of wisdom become substitutes for thought, and gradually take on much of the status of revealed truth. Occasionally, some iconoclast sees fit to challenge one of them, and a brief flurry ensues, after which things go on about as before. It is easy to think of plenty of ideas that are passing, if they have not already passed, beyond the stage of effective discussion.
The monuments of wit survive the monuments of power.
The monuments of wit survive the monuments of power.
Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo.
Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo.
In every passionate pursuit, the pursuit counts more than the object pursued.
In every passionate pursuit, the pursuit counts more than the object pursued.
Blaming "society" makes it awfully easy for a person of weak character to shrug off his own responsibility for his read more
Blaming "society" makes it awfully easy for a person of weak character to shrug off his own responsibility for his actions.
