The beneficial effect of state intervention, especially in the form of legislation, is direct, immediate, and so to speak, visible, while its evil effects are gradual and indirect and lay out of sight ... Hence the majority of mankind must almost of necessity look with undue favor upon governmental intervention.
Interpretation
State intervention in society has clear immediate benefits, but its negative consequences are often subtle and less visible.
The quote by A. V. Dicey reflects on how the effects of governmental intervention can create a bias in favor of such measures. While the positive impacts are readily observable and can be felt immediately, the contrary effects—often negative—tend to be slow-moving and obscure, leading people to overlook the potential drawbacks of increased government involvement in various societal aspects.
In practice
In a discussion about healthcare reforms, this quote could illustrate the tension between immediate benefits and long-term consequences.
What can this world offer comparable with that insight into spiritual things, that keen faith, that heavenly peace, that high sanctity, that everlasting righteousness, that hope of glory, which they have, who in sincerity love and follow our Lord Jesus Christ?
They say my verse is sad: no wonder; Its narrow measure spans Tears of eternity, and sorrow, Not mine. but man's.
Because you see when a new baby laughs for the first time a new fairy is born, and as there are always new babies there are always new fairies. They live in nests on the tops of trees; and the mauve ones are boys and the white ones are girls, and the blue ones are just little sillies who are not sure what they are.
I believe cats to be spirits come to earth.
When you have understood that nothing is, that things do not even deserve the status of appearances, you no longer need to be saved, you are saved, and miserable forever.
Texas can make it without the United States, but the United States cannot make it without Texas
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