The tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity, since the tastes, knowledge, and principles of the majority form read more

The tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity, since the tastes, knowledge, and principles of the majority form the tribunal of appeal.

Faith, enthusiasm, and passionate intensity in general are substitutes for the self-confidence born of experience and the possession of skill. read more

Faith, enthusiasm, and passionate intensity in general are substitutes for the self-confidence born of experience and the possession of skill. Where there is the necessary skill to move mountains there is no need for the faith that moves mountains.

Various kinds of ideas can be classified by their relationship to the authentication process. There are ideas systematically prepared for read more

Various kinds of ideas can be classified by their relationship to the authentication process. There are ideas systematically prepared for authentication ("theories"), ideas not derived from any systematic process ("visions"), ideas which could not survive any reasonable authentication process ("illusions"), ideas which exempt themselves from any authentication process ("myths"), ideas which have already passed authentication processes ("facts"), as well as ideas known to have failed- or certain to fail- such processes ("falsehoods" - both mistakes and lies).

Faith in the ability of a leader is of slight service unless it be united with faith in his justice.

Faith in the ability of a leader is of slight service unless it be united with faith in his justice.

I love California, I practically grew up in Phoenix.

I love California, I practically grew up in Phoenix.

I know that most men, including those at ease with problems of the greatest complexity, can seldom accept even the read more

I know that most men, including those at ease with problems of the greatest complexity, can seldom accept even the simplest and most obvious truth if it be such as would oblige them to admit the falsity of conclusions which they have delighted in explaining to colleagues, which they have proudly taught to others, and which they have woven, thread by thread, into the fabric of their lives.

How can one better magnify the Almighty than by sniggering with him at his little jokes, particularly the poorer ones.

How can one better magnify the Almighty than by sniggering with him at his little jokes, particularly the poorer ones.

It can not even be said that the State has ever shown any disposition to suppress crime, but only to read more

It can not even be said that the State has ever shown any disposition to suppress crime, but only to safeguard its own monopoly of crime.

I'd rather keep my promises to other politicians than to God. God, at least, has a degree of forgiveness.

I'd rather keep my promises to other politicians than to God. God, at least, has a degree of forgiveness.