““Society is produced by our wants and, government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices.””
     — Thomas Paine, Common Sense

Tags: Thomas Paine ∙ society ∙ goverment ∙ wants ∙ wickedness ∙ happiness ∙ uniting ∙ affections ∙ restraining ∙ vices

““First, there is nothing either intrinsically right or intrinsically wrong about liberty or slavery, democracy or autocracy, freedom of action or complete regimentation. It seems to us, however, that the greatest measure of happiness and of well-being for the greatest number of entities, and therefore the optimum advancement toward whatever sublime Goal it is toward which this cycle of existence is trending in the vast and unknowable Scheme of Things, is to be obtained by securing for each and every individual the greatest amount of mental and physical freedom compatible with the public welfare.””
     — E. E. Smith, First Lensman

Tags: E. E. Smith ∙ Lensman ∙ right ∙ wrong ∙ slavery ∙ democracy ∙ autocracy ∙ freedom of action ∙ complete regimentation ∙ happiness ∙ wellfare-being ∙ freedom ∙ public welfare