Home / Quotes / Quote by Thomas Sowell

Quote by Thomas Sowell

“While rationalism at the individual level is a plea for more personal autonomy from cultural norms, at the social level it is often a claim- or arrogation- of power to stifle the autonomy of others.”

Quote by Thomas Sowell

Author

Thomas Sowell is a renowned economist, born on June 30, 1930. His research spans across various fields such as economic policy, race, and social issues, having a profound impact on economics and the social sciences. more

You May Also Like

“What freedom does a starving man have?" The answer is that starvation is a tragic human condition- perhaps more tragic than loss of freedom. That does not prevent these from being two different things.”

Men Humans Doe Two Different Black Loss Answers Conditions Different Things Tragic Human Condition Starving Starvation Two Different Things

Book:Knowledge And Decisions

Source: Knowledge And Decisions

“Force is the antithesis of freedom, but force must be used, if only to defend against other force.”

Ifs Used Force Black Antithesis

Book:Knowledge And Decisions

Source: Knowledge And Decisions

“To those who feel that their values are THE values, the less controlled systems necessarily present a spectacle of "chaos," simply because such systems respond to a diversity of values. The more successfully such systems respond to diversity, the more "chaos" there will be, by definition, according to the standards of ANY specific set of values- other than diversity or freedom as values. Looked at another way, the more self-righteous observers there are, the more chaos (and "waste") will be seen.”

Way Feels Self Values Black Waste Diversity Standards Chaos Definitions Controlled Righteous Observers Another Way Self Righteous

Author:Thomas Sowell

“The reason so many problems do not get solved in Washington is that solving those problems is not the No. 1 priority: Re-election is.”

Reason Problem Politics Election Priorities

Author:Thomas Sowell

“It may be expecting too much to expect most intellectuals to have common sense, when their whole life is based on their being uncommon -- that is, saying things that are different from what everyone else is saying. There is only so much genuine originality in anyone. After that, being uncommon means indulging in pointless eccentricities or clever attempts to mock or shock.”

Source: Ever Wonder Why?: and Other Controversial Essays

“Before the Iraq war I was quite disturbed by some of the neoconservatives, who were saying things like, "What is the point of being a superpower if you can't do such-and-such, take on these responsibilities?" The point of being a superpower is that people will leave you alone.”

People Ifs War Responsibility Iraq Disturbed Iraq War Superpower

Author:Thomas Sowell

“One undeniable accomplishment of Bill Clinton's presidency was that it kept Jimmy Carter from being the worst U.S. president in history.”

President Worst Bills Clinton Accomplishment Presidency Jimmy Carter

Author:Thomas Sowell

“When I see the worsening degeneracy in our politicians, our media, our educators, and our intelligentsia, I can't help wondering if the day may yet come when the only thing that can save this country is a military coup.”

Ifs May I Can Country Helping Wonder Media Military Politician Educator Coups

Author:Thomas Sowell

“Intellectuals may like to think of themselves as people who "speak truth to power" but too often they are people who speak lies to gain power.”

People Thinking May Lying Speak Gains Speak The Truth

Author:Thomas Sowell

“Too often what are called "educated" people are simply people who have been sheltered from reality for years in ivy-covered buildings. Those whose whole careers have been spent in ivy-covered buildings, insulated by tenure, can remain adolescents on into their golden retirement years.”

People Years Has Beens Whole Reality Careers Building Golden Educated Covered Retirement Ivy Tenure Retirement Years

Author:Thomas Sowell