“Although I held public office for a total of sixteen years, I also thought of myself as a citizen-politician, not a career one. Every now and then when I was in government, I would remind my associates that "When we start thinking of government as 'us' instead of 'them,' we've been here too long." By that I mean that elected officeholders need to retain a certain skepticism about the perfectibility of government.” ThinkingNeedsYearsMeanLongGovernmentCertainCareersCitizensPoliticianOfficeNow And ThenSkepticismAssociatesSixteenPublic Office Author:Ronald Reagan
“Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and it is shameful to surrender it too soon or to the first comer; there is nobility in preserving it coolly and proudly through long youth, until at last, in the ripeness of instinct and discretion, it can be safely exchanged for fidelity and happiness.” FirstsLongLastsYouthInstinctIntellectSurrenderSkepticismNobilityFidelityDiscretionShamefulChastityRipeness Book:The Works of George Santayana: Scepticism and animal faith. Some meanings of the word Source: The Works of George Santayana: Scepticism and animal faith. Some meanings of the word