Except in the sacred texts of democracy and in the incantations of orators, we hardly take the trouble to pretend read more

Except in the sacred texts of democracy and in the incantations of orators, we hardly take the trouble to pretend that the rule of the majority is not at bottom a rule of force. What other virtue can there be in fifty-one percent except the brute fact that fifty-one is more than forty-nine? The rule of fifty-one per cent is a convenience, it is for certain matters a satisfactory political device, it is for others the lesser of two evils, and for others it is acceptable because we do not know any less troublesome method of obtaining a political decision. But it may easily become an absurd tyranny if we regard it worshipfully, as though it were more than a political device. We have lost all sense of its true meaning when we imagine that the opinion of fifty-one per cent is in some high fashion the true opinion of the whole hundred per cent, or indulge in the sophistry that the rule of a majority is based upon the ultimate equality of man.

There is no such thing as a nonpolitical speech by a politician.

There is no such thing as a nonpolitical speech by a politician.

It is much safer to obey, than to govern.

It is much safer to obey, than to govern.

The essence of democracy is not that everyone makes and administers laws but that lawgivers and rulers should be dependent read more

The essence of democracy is not that everyone makes and administers laws but that lawgivers and rulers should be dependent on the people's will in such a way that they may be peaceably changed if conflict occurs.

Liberalism is trust of the people tempered by prudence. Conservatism is distrust of the people tempered by fear.

Liberalism is trust of the people tempered by prudence. Conservatism is distrust of the people tempered by fear.

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.'.

You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these read more

You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for independence.

Necessity is the plea of every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed read more

Necessity is the plea of every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.

He who knows how to flatter also knows how to slander.

He who knows how to flatter also knows how to slander.