We are born believing. A man bears beliefs, as a tree bears apples.

We are born believing. A man bears beliefs, as a tree bears apples.

To say nothing of its holiness or authority, the Bible contains more specimens of genius and taste than any other read more

To say nothing of its holiness or authority, the Bible contains more specimens of genius and taste than any other volume in existence.

I personally call the type of government which can be removed without violence 'democracy,' and the other, 'tyranny.'.

I personally call the type of government which can be removed without violence 'democracy,' and the other, 'tyranny.'.

The New Deal began, like the Salvation Army, by promising to save humanity. It ended, again like the Salvation Army, read more

The New Deal began, like the Salvation Army, by promising to save humanity. It ended, again like the Salvation Army, by running flop-houses and disturbing the peace.

Ideology has very little to do with "consciousness" -- it is profoundly unconscious.

Ideology has very little to do with "consciousness" -- it is profoundly unconscious.

As a first approximation, I define "belief" not as the object of believing (a dogma, a program, etc.) but as read more

As a first approximation, I define "belief" not as the object of believing (a dogma, a program, etc.) but as the subject's investment in a proposition, the act of saying it and considering it as true.

He is free who knows how to keep in his own hand the power to decide, at each step, the read more

He is free who knows how to keep in his own hand the power to decide, at each step, the course of his life, and who lives in a society which does not block the exercise of that power.

These people have served a longer sentence than some people who have committed murder.

These people have served a longer sentence than some people who have committed murder.

The successful politician owes his power to the fact that he moves within the accepted framework of thought, that he read more

The successful politician owes his power to the fact that he moves within the accepted framework of thought, that he thinks and talks conventionally. It would be almost a contradiction in terms for a politician to be a leader in the field of ideas. His task in a democracy is to find out what the opinions held by the largest number are, not to give currency to new opinions which may become the majority view in some distant future.