Ignorance is an evil weed, which dictators may cultivate among their dupes, but which no democracy can afford among its citizens.
William BeveridgeRead
The object of government in peace and in war is not the glory of rulers or of races, but the happiness of common man.
Interpretation
Government's true goal should be the happiness of ordinary people, not the fame of leaders or nations.
This quote emphasizes that the fundamental purpose of government, whether in peacetime or wartime, should prioritize the well-being and happiness of the general population rather than the ambitions or glorification of those in power. It suggests that true leadership is measured by how well it serves the needs and happiness of its citizens, reflecting a government that is accountable to the people it governs.
In practice
During a political rally to emphasize the importance of serving the people's needs over political ambitions.
Ignorance is an evil weed, which dictators may cultivate among their dupes, but which no democracy can afford among its citizens.
Birtherism surely increased Americans' distrust of politics, though in ways that are hard to pin down. By contrast, when anti-vaxxers persuade parents not to vaccinate children, the result can be sickness and even death.
No party has a monopoly on wisdom. No democracy works without compromise. But when Governor Romney and his allies in Congress tell us we can somehow lower our deficit by spending trillions more on new tax breaks for the wealthy - well, you do the math. I refuse to go along with that. And as long as I'm President, I never will.
We will not be intimidated or pushed off the world stage by people who do not like what we stand for, and that is, freedom, democracy and the fight against disease, poverty and terrorism.
Very big business is in bed with very big government in Washington, and has more to do with what the average person sees, hears and reads than most people know.
The accords were fig leaves of democratic procedure to hide the nakedness of Stalinist dictatorship.
Each party steals so many articles of faith from the other, and the candidates spend so much time making each other's speeches, that by the time election day is past there is nothing much to do save turn the sitting rascals out and let a new gang in.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.