Man’s achievements rest upon the use of symbols. . . . we must consider ourselves as a symbolic, semantic class of life, and those who rule the symbols, rule us.
Alfred Korzybski, Science and Sanity (1933).
No nation was ever so virtuous as each believes itself, and none was ever so wicked as each believes the other.
Bertrand Russell, Justice in War-Time (1916), p. 70.
It only takes 20 years for a liberal to become a conservative without changing a single idea.
Robert Anton Wilson, The Illuminati Papers (1980).
The word is not the thing.
Alfred Korzybski, Science and Sanity (1933).
Morality not only commands innumerable terrible means for preventing critical hands being laid upon her: her security depends still more upon a sort of enchantment at which she is phenomenally skilled. That is to say, she knows how to enrapture. She appeals to the emotions; her glance paralyzes the reason and the will. . . . Ever since there has been talking and persuading on earth, she has been the supreme mistress of seduction.
Friedrich W. Nietzsche, as quoted and translated by H.L. Mencken, The Philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche (1913), from Daybreak (“Morgenröte,” preface, § 3).
Never do anything against conscience even if the state demands it.
Albert Einstein, as quoted by Virgil Henshaw in Albert Einstein: Philosopher Scientist (1949) edited by Paul A. Schilpp.
Let it, then, be henceforth proclaimed to the world, that man’s conscience was created free; that he is no longer accountable to his fellow man for his religious opinions, being responsible therefore only to his God.
John Tyler, funeral oration for Thomas Jefferson (July 11, 1826).
All the lessons of history and experience must be lost upon us if we are content to trust alone to the peculiar advantages we happen to possess.
President Martin Van Buren’s Inaugural Address (March 4, 1837).
So far as it depends on the course of this government, our relations of good will and friendship will be sedulously cultivated with all nations.
President John Tyler, first annual message to Congress (June 1, 1841).
The strongest of all governments is that which is most free.
William Henry Harrison, letter to Simon Bolivar (September 27, 1829).