It is a governing principle of nature, that the agency which can produce most good, when perverted from its proper aim, is most productive of evil. It behooves the well-intentioned, therefore, vigorously to watch the tendency of even their most highly prized institutions, since that which was established in the interests of the right, may so easily become the agent of the wrong.
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But the development of human society does not go straight forward; and the epic process will therefore be a recurring read more
But the development of human society does not go straight forward; and the epic process will therefore be a recurring process, the series a recurring series - though not in exact repetition .
Never do today what you can put off till tomorrow if tomorrow might improve the odds.
Never do today what you can put off till tomorrow if tomorrow might improve the odds.
A civilized society is one which tolerates eccentricity to the point of doubtful sanity.
A civilized society is one which tolerates eccentricity to the point of doubtful sanity.
Human civilization is not something achieved against nature; it is rather the outcome of the working of the innate qualities read more
Human civilization is not something achieved against nature; it is rather the outcome of the working of the innate qualities of man.
Cultures contain many cues and inducements to dissuade the individual from approaching ultimate limits, in much the same way that read more
Cultures contain many cues and inducements to dissuade the individual from approaching ultimate limits, in much the same way that a special warning strip of land around the edge of a baseball field lets a player know that he is about to run into a concrete wall when he is preoccupied with catching the ball. The wider that strip of land and the more sensitive the player is to the changing composition of the ground under his feet as he pursues the ball, the more effective the warning. Romanticizing or lionizing as "individualistic" those people who disregard social cues and inducements increases the danger of head-on collisions with inherent social limits. Decrying various forms of social disapproval is in effect narrowing the warning strip.
Philosophy consists very largely of one philosopher arguing that all other philosophers are jackasses. He usually proves it, and I read more
Philosophy consists very largely of one philosopher arguing that all other philosophers are jackasses. He usually proves it, and I should add that he also usually proves that he is one himself.
Most of the change we think we see in life Is due to truths being in and out of favor.
Most of the change we think we see in life Is due to truths being in and out of favor.
Facts do not "speak for themselves." They speak for or against competing theories. Facts divorced from theories or visions are read more
Facts do not "speak for themselves." They speak for or against competing theories. Facts divorced from theories or visions are mere isolated curiosities.
There is no truth sure enough to justify persecution.
There is no truth sure enough to justify persecution.
