Diplomacy is to do and say the nastiest things in the nicest way.

Diplomacy is to do and say the nastiest things in the nicest way.

Freedom means freedom from forces and circumstances which would turn man into a thing, which would impose on man the read more

Freedom means freedom from forces and circumstances which would turn man into a thing, which would impose on man the passivity and predictability of matter. By this test, absolute power is the manifestation most inimical to human uniqueness. Absolute power wants to turn people into malleable clay.

You shall judge a man by his foes as well as by his friends.

You shall judge a man by his foes as well as by his friends.

It is a dangerous and idle dream to think that the state can become rule by philosophers turned kings or read more

It is a dangerous and idle dream to think that the state can become rule by philosophers turned kings or scientists turned commissars. For if philosophers become kings or scientists commissars, they become politicians, and the powers given to the state are powers given to men who are rulers of states, men subject to all the limitations and temptations of their dangerous craft. Unless this is borne in mind, there will be a dangerous optimistic tendency to sweep aside doubts and fears as irrelevant, since, in the state that the projectors have in mind, power will be exercised by men of a wisdom and degree of moral virtue that we have not yet seen. It won't. It will be exercised by men who will be men first and rulers next and scientists and saints long after.

Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of congress; but I repeat myself.

Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of congress; but I repeat myself.

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.

Nobody is equal to anybody. Even the same man is not equal to himself on different days.

Nobody is equal to anybody. Even the same man is not equal to himself on different days.

The most heroic word in all languages is revolution.

The most heroic word in all languages is revolution.

...there is no glory in battle worth the blood it costs.

...there is no glory in battle worth the blood it costs.