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.

Those who see their lives as spoiled and wasted crave equality and fraternity more than they do freedom. If they read more

Those who see their lives as spoiled and wasted crave equality and fraternity more than they do freedom. If they clamor for freedom, it is but freedom to establish equality and uniformity. The passion for equality is partly a passion for anonymity: to be one thread of the many which make up a tunic; one thread not distinguishable from the others. No one can then point us out, measure us against others and expose our inferiority.

Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock.

Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock.

My brother Bob doesn't want to be in government -- he promised Dad he'd go straight.

My brother Bob doesn't want to be in government -- he promised Dad he'd go straight.

The deadliest foe of democracy is not autocracy but liberty frenzied.

The deadliest foe of democracy is not autocracy but liberty frenzied.

The world will never have lasting peace so long as men reserve for war the finest human qualities. Peace, no read more

The world will never have lasting peace so long as men reserve for war the finest human qualities. Peace, no less than war, requires idealism and self-sacrifice and a righteous and dynamic faith.

Laywers, I suppose, were children once.

Laywers, I suppose, were children once.

No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.

No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.

The soil of their native land is dear to all the hearts of mankind.

The soil of their native land is dear to all the hearts of mankind.