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July 05 Great Quote"Every reform was once a private opinion, and when it shall be a private opinion again it will solve the problem of the age."
Essay 1 - History
Ralph Waldo Emerson May 07 GalbraithI haven't really felt much like writing here recently - some things are happening fast but not fast enough in you can understand that.
Recently the renowned economist Jonh Kenneth Galbraith passed away at 97. I thought I would share with you some quotes of his I found interesting.
"Among all the world's races, some obscure Bedouin tribes possibly apart, Americans are the most prone to misinformation. This is not the consequence of any special preference for mendacity, although at the higher levels of their administration that tendency is impressive. It is rather that so much of what they themselves believe is wrong."
Frequent observation "Nothing so comprehensively denies the liberties of the individual as a total absence of money. Or so impairs it as too little. Nothing so inspires socially useful effort as the prospect of pecuniary reward, both for what it procures and not rarely for the pleasure of pure possession it accords."
In The Good Society (1996) "In this world there is no literate population that is poor, no illiterate population that is other than poor."
In The Good Society (1996) "Taxes in all industrial countries are intended to be moderately progressive. In any case, they are paid in greatest absolute amount by people of middle income and above. Public services, in contrast, are most used by the poor. Hence, any general attack on taxes must be understood for what it is, an attack on the living standards of the poor.
Essay "Beyond the Monetarists," 1981 "Politics is not the art of the possible. It consists in choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable."
In A Life in Our Times, 1981 "There are times in politics when you must be on the right side and lose."
Aphorism "The contented and economically comfortable have a very discriminating view of government. Nobody is ever indignant about bailing out failing banks and failed savings and loans associations. But when taxes must be paid for the lower middle class and poor, the government assumes an aspect of wickedness."
Aphorism "All of the great leaders have had one characteristic in common: it was the willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership."
Aphorism "Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under communism, it's just the opposite."
Aphorism "More people die in the United States of too much food than too little."
Aphorism June 21 hmm...I think I resemble some of these1. Your ass is never a factor in a job interview. June 02 General Sherman's letter to Atlanta and other quotesThis is a letter I found on Sherman and I found it quite interesting. You can see from it Sherman's belief that total war was better since it would end the war sooner. Gentleman: I have your letter of the 11th, in the nature of a petition to revoke my orders removing all the inhabitants from Atlanta. I have read it carefully, and give full credit to your statements of distress that will be occasioned, and yet shall not revoke my orders, because they were not designed to meet the humanities of the cause, but to prepare for the future struggles in which millions of good people outside of Atlanta have a deep interest. We must have peace, not only at Atlanta, but in all America. To secure this, we must stop the war that now desolates our once happy and favored country. To stop war, we must defeat the rebel armies which are arrayed against the laws and Constitution that all must respect and obey. To defeat those armies, we must prepare the way to reach them in their recesses, provided with the arms and instruments which enable us to accomplish our purpose. Now, I know the vindictive nature of our enemy, that we may have many years of military operations from this quarter; and, therefore, deem it wise and prudent to prepare in time. The use of Atlanta for warlike purposes in inconsistent with its character as a home for families. There will be no manufacturers, commerce, or agriculture here, for the maintenance of families, and sooner or later want will compel the inhabitants to go. Why not go now, when all the arrangements are completed for the transfer, instead of waiting till the plunging shot of contending armies will renew the scenes of the past month? Of course, I do not apprehend any such things at this moment, but you do not suppose this army will be here until the war is over. I cannot discuss this subject with you fairly, because I cannot impart to you what we propose to do, but I assert that our military plans make it necessary for the inhabitants to go away, and I can only renew my offer of services to make their exodus in any direction as easy and comfortable as possible. You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will. War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour out. I know I had no hand in making this war, and I know I will make more sacrifices to-day than any of you to secure peace. But you cannot have peace and a division of our country. If the United States submits to a division now, it will not stop, but will go on until we reap the fate of Mexico, which is eternal war. The United States does and must assert its authority, wherever it once had power; for, if it relaxes one bit to pressure, it is gone, and I believe that such is the national feeling. This feeling assumes various shapes, but always comes back to that of Union. Once admit the Union, once more acknowledge the authority of the national Government, and, instead of devoting your houses and streets and roads to the dread uses of war, I and this army become at once your protectors and supporters, shielding you from danger, let it come from what quarter it may. I know that a few individuals cannot resist a torrent of error and passion, such as swept the South into rebellion, but you can point out, so that we may know those who desire a government, and those who insist on war and its desolation. You might as well appeal against the thunder-storm as against these terrible hardships of war. They are inevitable, and the only way the people of Atlanta can hope once more to live in peace and quiet at home, is to stop the war, which can only be done by admitting that it began in error and is perpetuated in pride. We don't want your Negroes, or your horses, or your lands, or any thing you have, but we do want and will have a just obedience to the laws of the United States. That we will have, and if it involved the destruction of your improvements, we cannot help it. You have heretofore read public sentiment in your newspapers, that live by falsehood and excitement; and the quicker you seek for truth in other quarters, the better. I repeat then that, bu the original compact of government, the United States had certain rights in Georgia, which have never been relinquished and never will be; that the South began the war by seizing forts, arsenals, mints, custom-houses, etc., etc., long before Mr. Lincoln was installed, and before the South had one jot or title of provocation. I myself have seen in Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi, hundreds and thousands of women and children fleeing from your armies and desperadoes, hungry and with bleeding feet. In Memphis, Vicksburg, and Mississippi, we fed thousands and thousands of the families of rebel soldiers left on our hands, and whom we could not see starve. Now that war comes to you, you feel very different. You deprecate its horrors, but did not feel them when you sent car-loads of soldiers and ammunition, and moulded shells and shot, to carry war into Kentucky and Tennessee, to desolate the homes of hundreds and thousands of good people who only asked to live in peace at their old homes, and under the Government of their inheritance. But these comparisons are idle. I want peace, and believe it can only be reached through union and war, and I will ever conduct war with a view to perfect an early success. But, my dear sirs, when peace does come, you may call on me for any thing. Then will I share with you the last cracker, and watch with you to shield your homes and families against danger from every quarter. Now you must go, and take with you the old and feeble, feed and nurse them, and build for them, in more quiet places, proper habitations to shield them against the weather until the mad passions of men cool down, and allow the Union and peace once more to settle over your old homes in Atlanta. Yours in haste, W.T. Sherman, Major-General commanding Sherman then went on to burn Atlanta More Quotes on War from Saurus Press “If you are going through hell...keep going.” Winston Churchill “War and politics, you can't have (the first) one without the other.” D. R. Eberhart “Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them. Franklin D. Roosevlet “I've got to go to meet God - and explain all those men I killed at Alamein.” Field Marshall Viscount Montgomery in 1976. “They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist....” General John Sedgwick, Union Commander, d. 1864 Killed in battle during US Civil War “I never advocated war except as a means of peace.” Ulysses S. Grant “It is well that war is so terrible—we should grow too fond of it.” Robert E. Lee "I am tired and sick of war. Its glory is all moonshine. It is only those who have neither fired a shot, nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for more blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell." General William Tecumseh Sherman "You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will. War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it; and those who brought war into our country deserve all the curses and maledictions a people can pour out. I know I had no hand in making this war, and I know I will make more sacrifices to-day than any of you to secure peace." General William Tecumseh Sherman “I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.”
Dwight D. Eisenhower “The Americans will always do the right thing... After they've exhausted all the alternatives.” Sir Winston Churchill “Il est plus facile de faire la guerre que la paix.” Georges Clemenceau May 28 Meanings of words and phrases and other thingsFirst, I really couldn't find a good etymology site, so if anyone knows one, I would greatly appreciate knowing about it. If you have heard of other origins, please let me know as well. The following is what I have picked up over the years: "Square meal" - the British Navy would serve meals on square plates"Drummed out of..." - a military term, from "drum head trials" in the field, they would flip a drum on its side and use it as the bench."Square deal" - from the Freemasons, they use a lot of stone work references"On the level" - again Masonic"The third degree" - as in to give someone the third degree, again Masonic, third degree is the level where a lodge member becomes a Master MasonI won't type the actual word here, but the word "cunning" was applied to female genitalia, figure out the slang yourself "Cannibal" - I have heard two theories on this one, one is the accepted that it is a Spanish corruption of Galibi, the original name of the Caribs, the other was put forth by an evangelical Christian saying it came from Canaanite because they used to eat their babies (?)"Canine" - again, same evangelical said it was Canaanite, haven't found any evidence of that thought Why did British soldiers wear red coats? - the same reason they painted the decks of their ships of the line red - so the blood would not show Where did the salute come from? - different stories here - one says it is from knights lifting their visors to be identified, some say it was to show that your hand had no weapon in it. Where did the 21 gun salute come from? - When a ship came to a foreign harbour, it would fire all its guns to show before entering, showing it wasn't there to attack Where does the concept of the best man at a wedding come from? - Back in the day when you used to kidnap your bride, the best man and other groomsmen were there to prevent her family from stopping the wedding. The best man stands to the right so his sword arm is free. "Right hand man" - you put your best and most trusted man to your right in battle, because you held your shield in the left hand, your right side was vulnerableMay 27 More QuotesI don't feel like writing anything really, but I am bored so I decided on some cheap content. Some more quotes: "Whoever struggles in ceaseless toil, him we may grant redemption." - Faust by Johann Wolfgang Goethe With rights come responsibilities, if you abdicate your responsibilities, you also abdicate your rights. - me Hope is a good breakfast, but it is a bad supper. - Francis Bacon Curiosity draws a man from consideration of the effect, to seek the cause. - Thomas Hobbes Reason is the Soul of the Law. - Hobbes Government has no other end than the preservation of property. - John Locke Wherever Law ends, Tyranny begins. - Locke We can never be sure that the opinion we are endeavoring to stifle is a false opinion; and if we were sure, stifling it would be an evil still. - John Stuart Mill Whatever crushes individuality is despotism, by whatever name it may be called. - Mill Ethical axioms are found and tested not very differently from the axioms of science. Truth is what stands the test of experience. - Albert Einstein I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. - Einstein If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor. - Einstein Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. - Einstein Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one. - Einstein I don't want to achieve immortality through my work... I want to achieve it through not dying. - Woody Allen Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much. - Oscar Wilde I am not young enough to know everything. - Wilde I think that God in creating Man somewhat overestimated his ability. - Wilde The aim of life is self-development. To realize one's nature perfectly - that is what each of us is here for. - Wilde In heaven all the interesting people are missing. - Friedrich Nietzsche What is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil -Nietzsche Morality is herd instinct in the individual. - Nietzsche Out of life's school of war: What does not destroy me, makes me stronger. - Nietzsche May 15 Favourite movie / tv quotesWarning: If you don't like bad words, read no more - these are direct quotes as is. Pinky: Woi Brain? wot are we goin to do tonight? Brain: Same thing we do every night Pinky, try and take over the world! Animaniacs ******** Family Guy: Stewie: Oh I feel so delightfully white trash. Mommy, I want a mullet ***** Stewie: Yes, I rather like this God fellow. He's very theatrical, you know, a pestilence here, a plague there. Omnipotence. Gotta get me some of that. ***** Stewie: [hitting on some co-eds] I must say, the most recent campus sporting event was quite spectacular. ***** [watching cheerleaders change in a locker room] ***** Stewie: I love God. He's so deliciously evil. **** Peter: At least they don't put their feminine ointments next to the mustard. Lois. That was the worst hot dog I ever ate. ***** Lois: Peter, you're drunk again. ***** Brian: She's a whiney little runt isn't she? ***** Lois: I'm not wearing any panties. Peter: That's Ok, we'll throw that chair out later. ***** [watching a baseball game] ****** Stewie: Damn you vile woman, you've impeded my work since the day I escaped your vile womb. http://quotations.about.com/cs/tvquotes/a/quo_fg_pet_loi.htm Apocalypse Now; Kilgore: You smell that? Do you smell that?... Napalm, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that. I love the smell of napalm in the morning. You know, one time we had a hill bombed, for twelve hours. When it was all over I walked up. We didn't find one of 'em, not one stinkin' dink body. The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory. Someday this war's gonna end... ***** Chef: Never leave the boat. Never leave the boat. ***** Willard: Never get out of the boat. Absolutely goddamn right. Unless you were goin' all the way. Kurtz got off the boat. He split from the whole fuckin' program. ***** Kilgore: Charlie don't surf! ***** Kilgore: You either surf or you fight ***** Willard: It's a way we had over here with living with ourselves. We cut 'em in half with a machine gun and give 'em a Band-Aid. It was a lie. And the more I saw them, the more I hated lies. ***** Willard: What's the charge? What did I do? ***** Chef: Why do all you guys sit on your helmets? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078788/quotes Blues Brothers: Elwood: It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses. Jake: Hit it. **** Unknown: Are you the police? Elwood: No Ma'am, we're musicians. ***** Jake: Four fried chickens, and a coke. Elwood: And some dry white toast please. **** Jake: Illinois nazis. Elwood: I hate Illinois nazis. ****** Elwood: You see, we're on a mission from God. ****** Elwood: Oh no. ***** Jake: [fakes accent] How much for the little girl? How much for the women? ****** Jake: Oh, please, don't kill us. Please, please don't kill us. You know I love you baby. I wouldn't leave ya. It wasn't my fault. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080455/quotes ******** Pirates of the Carribean: HARBORMASTER: If you're rolling scuppers in this tub, you're either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid. JACK: It's remarkable how often those two traits coincide ****** WILL: This is either crazy, or brilliant. JACK: Remarkable how often those two traits coincide. ***** NORRINGTON: Taking stock: you've got a pistol with only one shot, a compass that doesn't point north ... and no ship. You are without a doubt the worst pirate I have ever heard of. JACK: Ah, but you have heard of me. ****** WILL: You cheated. JACK: Pirate. ***** WILL: You didn't beat me. You ignored the rule of engagement. In a fair fight, I'd kill you. JACK: Then that's not much incentive for me to fight fair, is it? ****** ELIZABETH: So that's it? That's the secret grand adventure of the infamous Jack Sparrow? You spent three days on the beach drinking rum? JACK: Welcome to the Caribbean, love ****** JACK: What are you doing? You've burned our food, the shade -- the rum! ELIZABETH: Yes, the rum is gone. JACK: Why? ******* WILL: We're going to steal a ship? That ship? JACK: Commandeer. We're going to commandeer a ship. Nautical term. WILL: It's still against the law. JACK: So's breaking a man out of jail. Face it: you may say you'll never be a pirate, but you're off to a rip-roaring start. My advice -- smile and enjoy it. ***** Some from Full Metal Jacket: DOORGUNNER: Anyone who runs is a V.C. Anyone who stands still is a well-disciplined V.C. You guys oughtta do a story about me sometime. JOKER: Why should we do a story about you? DOORGUNNER: 'Cause I'm so fucking good! That ain't no shit neither. I've done got me one hundred and fifty-seven dead gooks killed. And fifty water buffaloes, too. Them're all certified. JOKER: Any women or children? DOORGUNNER: Sometimes. JOKER: How can you shoot women and children? DOORGUNNER: Easy. You just don't lead 'em so much. Ain't war hell? ******** RECRUITS: This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it, as I must master my life. Without me my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will. Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviours of my life. So be it .. . until there is no enemy... but peace. Amen. ***** HARTMAN: Today... is Christmas! There will be a magic show at zero-nine-thirty! Chaplain Charlie will tell you about how the free world will conquer Communism with the aid of God and a few marines! God has a hard-on for marines because we kill everything we see! He plays His games, we play ours! To show our appreciation for so much power, we keep heaven packed with fresh souls! God was here before the Marine Corps! So you can give your heart to Jesus, but your ass belongs to the Corps! Do you ladies understand? ***** JOKER: The dead have been covered with lime. The dead only know one thing. It is better to be alive. *******
May 14 Memorable QuotesFrancis Bacon - "Books (such as are worthy the name of books) ought to have no patrons but truth and reason." William Shakespear - Love all, trust a few. Do wrong to none. John Locke - "Good and evil, reward and punishment, are the only motives to a rational creature: these are the spur and reins whereby all mankind are set on work, and guided." Thomas Hobbes - "Every man is presumed to seek what is good for himselfe naturally, and what is just, only for Peaces sake, and accidentally." David Hume - "Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them." Adam Smith - "The propensity to truck, barter and exchange one thing for another is common to all men, and to be found in no other race of animals." Sir Isaac Newton - "Errors are not in the art but in the artificers" Benjamin Franklin - Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both. Benjamin Franklin - Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote. |
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