'The will of the nation' is one of those expressions which have been most profusely abused by the wily and the despotic of every age |
A democratic government is the only one in which those who vote for a tax can escape the obligation to pay it. |
All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it. |
America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. |
Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom. |
Americans are so enamored of equality, they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom. |
An American cannot converse, but he can discuss, and his talk falls into a dissertation. He speaks to you as if he was addressing a meeting; and if he should chance to become warm in the discussion, he will say ''Gentlemen'' to the person with whom he is conversing. |
As one digs deeper into the national character of the Americans, one sees that they have sought the value of everything in this world only in the answer to this single question: how much money will it bring in? |
Born often under another sky, placed in the middle of an always moving scene, himself driven by the irresistible torrent which draws all about him, the American has no time to tie himself to anything, he grows accustomed only to change, and ends by regarding it as the natural state of man. He feels the need of it, more he loves it; for the instability; instead of meaning disaster to him, seems to give birth only to miracles all about him. |
By and large the literature of a democracy will never exhibit the order, regularity, skill, and art characteristic of aristocratic literature; formal qualities will be neglected or actually despised. The style will often be strange, incorrect, overburdened, and loose, and almost always strong and bold. Writers will be more anxious to work quickly than to perfect details. Short works will be commoner than long books, wit than erudition, imagination than depth. There will be a rude and untutored vigor of thought with great variety and singular fecundity. Authors will strive to astonish more than to please, and to stir passions rather than to charm taste. |
By obliging men to turn their attention to other affairs then their own, it rubs off that private selfishness which is the rust of society |
Consider any individual at any period of his life, and you will always find him preoccupied with fresh plans to increase his comfort. |
Countries, therefore, when lawmaking falls exclusively to the lot of the poor cannot hope for much economy in public expenditure; expenses will always be considerable, either because taxes cannot touch those who vote for them or because they are asse |
Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude. |
Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude. |