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There is a powerful craving in most of us to see ourselves as instruments in the hands of others and read more
There is a powerful craving in most of us to see ourselves as instruments in the hands of others and thus free ourselves from the responsibility for acts which are prompted by our own questionable inclinations and impulses. Both the strong and the weak grasp at this alibi. The latter hide their malevolence under the virtue of obedience: they acted dishonorably because they had to obey orders. The strong, too, claim absolution by proclaiming themselves the chosen instrument of a higher power- God, history, fate, nation or humanity.
Governments will always misuse the machinery of the law as far as the state of public opinion permits.
Governments will always misuse the machinery of the law as far as the state of public opinion permits.
Any excuse will serve a tyrant.
Any excuse will serve a tyrant.
The worst evils which mankind has ever had to endure were inflicted by bad governments. The state can be and read more
The worst evils which mankind has ever had to endure were inflicted by bad governments. The state can be and has often been in the course of history the main source of mischief and disaster.
The art of the indirect approach can only be mastered, and its full scope appreciated, by study of and reflection read more
The art of the indirect approach can only be mastered, and its full scope appreciated, by study of and reflection upon the whole history of war. But we can at least crystallize the lessons into two simple maxims- one negative, the other positive. The first is that, in face of the overwhelming evidence of history, no general is justified in launching his troops to a direct attack upon an enemy firmly in position. The second, that instead of seeking to upset the enemy's equilibrium by one's attack, it must be upset before a real attack is, or can be successfully launched.
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that read more
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
No one has a right to happiness.
No one has a right to happiness.
The search for moral guidance which shall not depend upon external authority has invariably ended in the acknowledgment of some read more
The search for moral guidance which shall not depend upon external authority has invariably ended in the acknowledgment of some new authority.
