Two Pearls From the Late, Great Everett Dirksen

“I am a man of fixed and unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible at all times.”

“During a political campaign everyone is concerned with what a candidate will do on this or that question if he is elected except the candidate; he’s too busy wondering what he’ll do if he isn’t elected.”    Read more »

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Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy, Page 557

(Discussing Thomas Hobbes, 1588 – 1679, and his theory of government)

“Another point in which Hobbes’ doctrine is unduly limited is in regard to their relations between different states. There is not a word in leviathan to suggest any relation between them except war and conquest, with occasional interludes.

“This follows, on his principles, from the absence of an international government, for the relations of states are still in a state of nature, which is that of a war of all against all.    Read more »

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Just One of the Great Lines in This Movie

“In a world where carpenters are resurrected, anything is possible.”

— Katherine Hepburn as Eleanor of Aquitaine to Peter O’Toole’s Henry II in The Lion in Winter    Read more »

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Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy, Page 631

On John Locke:

“The civil compact which institutes government binds only those who made it; the son must consent afresh to a compact made by his father. (It is clear how this follows from Locke’s principles but it is not very realistic. A young American who, on attaining the age of 21, announces ‘I refuse to be bound by the contract which inaugurated the United States’ will find himself in difficulties.)”    Read more »

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Today’s Latin Lesson Is Inspired By Gov. Jerry Brown

Veto

“I forbid”

(The first person singular of the verb “vetare” — “to forbid.” Tribunes in ancient Rome, charged with protecting the interests of plebians, used the word to object to actions by the partricians of the Senate.)    Read more »

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Today’s Latin Lesson Is a Compliment Not Heard Often Enough in the Capitol

Ore Rotundo

“A Nicely Given Speech”

(Literally: “With a Round Mouth”)

     Read more »

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Today’s Latin Lesson Is a Quote from Cicero That Republicans Want Applied to the Budget

Magnum Vectigal Est Parsimonia

“Economy Is a Great Revenue”    Read more »

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Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy, Page 510

Explaining Machiavelli’s political view:

“But there is also, in politics, the question of means. It is futile to pursue a political purpose by methods that are bound to fail; if the end is held good, we must choose means adequate to its acheivement.

“The question of means can be treated in a purely scientific manner, without regard to the goodness or badness of the ends.    Read more »

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Today’s Latin Lesson Comes From a Common Trait of Politicians

Cacoethes Loquendi

“An Itch for Talking”    Read more »

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Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosphy, Page 624

“In Locke’s theory of government … there is little that is original. In this Locke resembles most of the men who have won fame for their ideas. As a rule, the man who first thinks of anew idea is so much ahead of his time that every one thinks him silly, so that he remains obscure and is soon forgotten.    Read more »

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