“Current fashion among history teachers affirms, in the teeth of the evidence, that individuals count for little; that history’s iron laws are all but unaffected by them.”
The Making of Tyrants by Alan Bullock, quoted in The Economist July 20, 1991
“Our journalised world does not regard words as part of any connected argument, but as disconnected emotional epithets thrown at some object; the only question being whether it is an object of hatred or idolatry, and whether the things thrown are bombs or bouquets. Nobody thinks that anybody might possibly have another object, the object called truth, and try to reach it by thinking instead of throwing things.”
G.K. Chesterton quoted in Dale Ahlquist “Why is America not Normal? G.K.’s Weekly, Volume 13 March 14, 1031 – September 5, 1931” in Gilbert The Magazine of the Society of G.K. Chesterton Vol. 26 # 6 (July-August 2023)
“Irresolute men are sometimes very persistent in their undertakings, because if they gave up their design they would have to make a second resolution.”
“Leopardi” quoted as “Thought du jour” in “Social Studies” in Globe & Mail May 18, 2007
“the secret of wisdom is detachment without withdrawal.”
Northrop Frye The Great Code [describing the attitude of the author of Ecclesiastes].
“It’s all fun and games until somebody loses a soul.”
One of mine from Nov. 3, 2023 [inspired by a news story about the trendiness of Satanism in popular culture].
“Maybe if we start telling people their brain is an app, they’ll want to use it.”
Comment by “mikeorclem” on the Climate Discussion Nexus “Hottest Ever Except Not” video.
“It is perfectly obvious that in any decent occupation (such as bricklaying or writing books) there are only two ways (in any special sense) of succeeding. One is by doing very good work, the other is by cheating.”
G.K. Chesterton quoted without further details in “News With Views” “Compiled by Mark Pilon” in Gilbert The Magazine of the Society of G.K. Chesterton Vol. 26 # 6 (July-August 2023)
“Cleopatra’s nose: if it had been shorter the whole face of the earth would have been different.”
Pascal Pensées