“I believe that religion, generally speaking, has been a curse to mankind — that its modest and greatly overestimated services on the ethical side have been more than overcome by the damage it has done to clear and honest thinking. I believe that no discovery of fact, however trivial, can be wholly useless to the race, and that no trumpeting of falsehood, however virtuous in intent, can be anything but vicious. I believe that the evidence for immortality is no better than the evidence of witches, and deserves no more respect. I believe in the complete freedom of thought and speech — alike for the humblest man and the mightiest, and in the utmost freedom of conduct that is consistent with living in organized society. I believe in the capacity of man to conquer his world, and to find out what it is made of, and how it is run. I believe in the reality of progress. I —But the whole thing, after all, may be put very simply. I believe that it is better to tell the truth than to lie. I believe that it is better to be free than to be a slave. And I believe that it is better to know than be ignorant.” ThinkingRealityTruthReligionBeliefFreedomKnowledgeProgressSocietyMankindHonestyIgnoranceSpeechRespectEthicsEvidenceDiscoveryCapacitySlaveHumbleThoughtConquerCurseDamageVirtuousFalsehoodFreedom Of SpeechFreeLieViciousWitchesFactKnowFreedom Of ThoughtImmoralityIntentMighty Book:The Artist: A Drama Without Words Source: The Artist: A Drama Without Words
“Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance. No one in this world, so far as I know—and I have researched the records for years, and employed agents to help me—has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.” HumorGovernmentPoliticsBeliefDemocracyIgnoranceIntelligencePatheticPublic OfficePolitical Commentary Book:Notes On Democracy Source: Notes On Democracy