Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page [261-280] of 295 Society quotesSociety QuotesSociety Previous 20 quotes Next 20 quotes Although I have made a fortune in the financial markets, I now fear that the untrammeled intensification of laissez-faire capitalism and the spread of market values into all areas of life is endangering our open and democratic society. The main enemy of the open society, I believe, is no longer the communist but the capitalist threat.~ George Soros While birds can fly, only humans can argue. Argument is the affirmation of our being. It is the principal instrument of human intercourse. Without argument the species would perish. As a subtle suggestion, it is the means by which we aid another. As a warning, it steers us from danger. As exposition, it teaches. As an expression of creativity, it is the gift of ourselves. As a protest, it struggles for justice. As a reasoned dialogue, it resolves disputes. As an assertion of self, it engenders respect. As an entreaty of love, it expresses our devotion As a plea, it generates mercy. As charismatic oration it moves multitudes and changes history. We must argue -- to help, to warn, to lead, to love, to create, to learn, to enjoy justice, to be.~ Gerry Spence Government is like fire. If it is kept within bounds and under the control of the people, it contributes to the welfare of all. But if it gets out of place, if it gets too big and out of control, it destroys the happiness and even the lives of the people.~ Harold E. Stassen My definition of a free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular.~ Adlai E. Stevenson II Censorship reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself. It is a hallmark of an authoritarian regime.~ Justice Potter Stewart To put it baldly, there are two ways to become wealthy: to create wealth or to take wealth away from others. The former adds to society. The latter typically subtracts from it, for in the process of taking it away, wealth gets destroyed. A monopolist who overcharges for his product takes money from those whom he is overcharging and at the same time destroys value. To get his monopoly price, he has to restrict production.~ Joseph E. Stiglitz Private opinion is weak, but public opinion is almost omnipotent.~ Harriet Beecher Stowe Liberty is to the collective body what health is to every individual body. Without health no pleasure can be tasted by man; without liberty, no happiness can be enjoyed by society.~ Henry St. John We want a society in which we are free to make choices, to make mistakes, to be generous and compassionate. That is what we mean by a moral society – not a society in which the State is responsible for everything, and no one is responsible for the State.~ Margaret Thatcher We pass the word around; we ponder how the case is put by different people; we read the poetry; we meditate over the literature; we play the music; we change our minds; we reach an understanding. Society evolves this way, not by shouting each other down, but by the unique capacity of unique, individual human beings to comprehend each other.~ Lewis Thomas There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.~ Henry David Thoreau Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new.~ Henry David Thoreau As against the "invisible hand" of Adam Smith, there has to be a visible hand of politicians whose objective is to have the kind of society that is caring and humane.~ Pierre Trudeau Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.~ Mark Twain It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.~ Mark Twain We are discreet sheep; we wait to see how the drove is going, and then go with the drove. We have two opinions: one private, which we are afraid to express; and another one - the one we use - which we force ourselves to wear to please Mrs. Grundy, until habit makes us comfortable in it, and the custom of defending it presently makes us love it, adore it, and forget how pitifully we came by it. Look at it in politics.~ Mark Twain When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.~ Mark Twain It is our nature to conform; it is a force which not many people can successfully resist. What is its seat? The inborn requirement of self-approval.~ Mark Twain The essential support and encouragement comes from within, arising out of the mad notion that your society needs to know what only you can tell it.~ John Updike An unexamined idea, to paraphrase Socrates, is not worth having and a society whose ideas are never explored for possible error may eventually find its foundations insecure.~ Mark Van Doren Previous 20 quotes Next 20 quotes Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print