Implicit in the activist conception of government is the assumption that you can take the good things in a complex system for granted, and just improve the things that are not so good. What is lacking in this conception is any sense that a society, an institution, or even a single human being, is an intricate system of fragile inter-relationships, whose complexities are little understood and easily destabilized.
You May Also Like / View all maxioms
The easier it is to do, the harder it is to change.
The easier it is to do, the harder it is to change.
Being intelligent is not a felony. But most societies evaluate it as at least a misdemeanor.
Being intelligent is not a felony. But most societies evaluate it as at least a misdemeanor.
The weak are not a noble breed. Their sublime deeds of faith, daring, and self-sacrifice usually spring from questionable motives. read more
The weak are not a noble breed. Their sublime deeds of faith, daring, and self-sacrifice usually spring from questionable motives. The weak hate not wickedness but weakness; and one instance of their hatred of weakness is hatred of self. All the passionate pursuits of the weak are in some degree a striving to escape, blur, or disguise an unwanted self. It is a striving shot through with malice, envy, self-deception, and a host of petty impulses; yet it often culminates in superb achievements.
The monuments of wit survive the monuments of power.
The monuments of wit survive the monuments of power.
You've got to watch your mind all the time or you'll awaken and find a strange picture on your press.
You've got to watch your mind all the time or you'll awaken and find a strange picture on your press.
Of all the judgments we pass in life, none is more important than the judgment we pass on ourselves.
Of all the judgments we pass in life, none is more important than the judgment we pass on ourselves.
If you happen to be one of the fretful minority who can do creative work, never force an idea; you'll read more
If you happen to be one of the fretful minority who can do creative work, never force an idea; you'll abort it if you do. Be patient and you'll give birth to it when the time is ripe. Learn to wait.
A dream is a scripture, and many scriptures are nothing but dreams.
A dream is a scripture, and many scriptures are nothing but dreams.
We often use strong language not to express a powerful emotion but to evoke it in us.
We often use strong language not to express a powerful emotion but to evoke it in us.
