When under the pretext of fraternity, the legal code imposes mutual sacrifices on the citizens, human nature is not thereby read more

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.

The craving to change the world is perhaps a reflection of the craving to change ourselves.

The craving to change the world is perhaps a reflection of the craving to change ourselves.

Evil witnesses are eyes and ears of men, if they have souls that do not understand their language.

Evil witnesses are eyes and ears of men, if they have souls that do not understand their language.

Language was invented to ask questions. Answers may be given by grunts and gestures, but questions must be spoken. Humanness read more

Language was invented to ask questions. Answers may be given by grunts and gestures, but questions must be spoken. Humanness came of age when man asked the first question. Social stagnation results not from a lack of answers but from the absence of the impulse to ask questions.

It seems that when we are oppressed by the knowledge of our worthlessness we do not see ourselves as lower read more

It seems that when we are oppressed by the knowledge of our worthlessness we do not see ourselves as lower than some and higher than others, but as lower than the lowest of mankind. We hate then the whole world, and we would pour our wrath upon the whole of creation.

Collective judgement of new ideas is so often wrong that it is arguable that progress depends on individuals being free read more

Collective judgement of new ideas is so often wrong that it is arguable that progress depends on individuals being free to back their own judgement despite collective disapproval.

...we are entitled to make almost any reasonable assumption, but should resist making conclusions until evidence requires that we do read more

...we are entitled to make almost any reasonable assumption, but should resist making conclusions until evidence requires that we do so.

The endeavor to understand is the first and only basis of virtue.

The endeavor to understand is the first and only basis of virtue.

Art should be appreciated with passion and violence, not with a tepid, deprecating elegance that fears the censoriousness of a read more

Art should be appreciated with passion and violence, not with a tepid, deprecating elegance that fears the censoriousness of a common room.