The danger inherent in reform is that the cure may be worse than the disease. Reform is an operation on the social body; but unlike medical surgeons, reformers are not on guard against unpredictable side effects which may divert the course of reform toward unwanted results. Moreover, quite often the social doctors become part of the disease.
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An ambassador is not simply an agent; he is also a spectacle.
An ambassador is not simply an agent; he is also a spectacle.
In a democracy dissent is an act of faith. Like medicine, the test of its value is not in its read more
In a democracy dissent is an act of faith. Like medicine, the test of its value is not in its taste, but in its effects.
Hell hath no fury like a bureaucrat scorned.
Hell hath no fury like a bureaucrat scorned.
Let the sun shine in.
Let the sun shine in.
In politics it is necessary either to betray one's country or the electorate. I prefer to betray the electorate.
In politics it is necessary either to betray one's country or the electorate. I prefer to betray the electorate.
For the sake of domestic peace, liberalism aims at democratic government. Democracy is therefore not a revolutionary institution. On the read more
For the sake of domestic peace, liberalism aims at democratic government. Democracy is therefore not a revolutionary institution. On the contrary it is the very means of preventing revolution and civil wars. It provides a method for the peaceful adjustment of government to the will of the majority.
Because we can expect future generations to be richer than we are, no matter what we do about resources, asking read more
Because we can expect future generations to be richer than we are, no matter what we do about resources, asking us to refrain from using resources now so that future generations can have them later is like asking the poor to make gifts to the rich.
If the small minority of enlightened citizens who are able to conceive sound principles of political management do not succeed read more
If the small minority of enlightened citizens who are able to conceive sound principles of political management do not succeed in winning the support of their fellow citizens and converting them to the endorsement of policies that bring and preserve prosperity, the cause of mankind and civilization is hopeless. There is no other means to safeguard a propitious development of human affairs than to make the masses of inferior people adopt the ideas of the elite. This has to be achieved by convincing them. It cannot be accomplished by a despotic regime that instead of enlightening the masses beats them into submission. In the long run the ideas of the majority, however detrimental they may be, will carry on. The future of mankind depends on the ability of the elite to influence public opinion in the right direction.
For whatever deserves to exist deserves also to be known, for knowledge is the image of existence; and things mean read more
For whatever deserves to exist deserves also to be known, for knowledge is the image of existence; and things mean and splendid exist alike.
