Commencement speakers have a good deal in common with grandfather clocks: Standing usually some six feet tall, typically ponderous in read more

Commencement speakers have a good deal in common with grandfather clocks: Standing usually some six feet tall, typically ponderous in construction, more traditional than functional, their distinction is largely their noisy communication of essentially commonplace information.

Men resort to talking only when they haven't the power to enforce their convictions upon others.

Men resort to talking only when they haven't the power to enforce their convictions upon others.

Tyranny and despotism can be exercised by many, more rigourously, more vigourously, and more severely, than by one.

Tyranny and despotism can be exercised by many, more rigourously, more vigourously, and more severely, than by one.

It is the very essence of despotism that it can never afford to fail. This is what distinguishes it most read more

It is the very essence of despotism that it can never afford to fail. This is what distinguishes it most vitally from democracy. In a despotism there is no organized opposition which can take over the power when the Administration in office has failed. All the eggs are in one basket. Everything is staked on one coterie of men. When the going is good, they move more quickly and efficiently than democracies, where the opposition has to be persuaded and conciliated. But when they lose, there are no reserves. There are no substitutes on the bench ready to go out on the field and carry the ball. That is why democracies with the habit of party government have outlived all other forms of government in the modern world. They have, as it were, at least two governments always at hand, and when one fails they have the other. They have diversified the risks of mortality, corruption, and stupidity which pervade all human affairs. They have remembered that the most beautifully impressive machine cannot run for very long unless there is available a complete supply of spare parts.

Life without liberty is like a body without spirit.

Life without liberty is like a body without spirit.

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

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

The idea that the sole aim of punishment is to prevent crime is obviously grounded upon the theory that crime read more

The idea that the sole aim of punishment is to prevent crime is obviously grounded upon the theory that crime can be prevented, which is almost as dubious as the notion that poverty can be prevented.

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul.

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul.

The first sign of corruption in a society that is still alive is that the end justifies the means.

The first sign of corruption in a society that is still alive is that the end justifies the means.