“Avarice, the spur of industry, is so obstinate a passion, and works its way through so many real dangers and difficulties, that it is not likely to be scared by an imaginary danger, which is so small, that it scarcely admits of calculation. Commerce, therefore, in my opinion, is apt to decay in absolute governments, not because it is there less secure, but because it is less honourable.” WayRealGovernmentPassionOpinionDangerIndustryDifficultyAbsolutesScaredSecureImaginaryDecayCommerceCalculationsAvariceSpursObstinate Author:David Hume
“The dissemination of the individual's opinions on matters of public interest is for us, in the historic words of the Declaration of Independence, an 'unalienable right' that 'governments are instituted among men to secure.' History shows us that the Founders were not always convinced that unlimited discussion of public issues would be 'for the benefit of all of us' but that they firmly adhered to the proposition that the 'true liberty of the press' permitted 'every man to publish his opinion'.” MenMatterShowsGovernmentWould BeIndividualInterestLibertyOpinionIssuesBenefitsIndependencePressesConvincedEvery ManSecureDiscussionFreedom Of SpeechFoundersDeclarationUnlimitedPropositionsHistoricPublishDeclaration Of IndependencePublic InterestDissemination Author:John Marshall Harlan II
“The truly great consider, first, how they may gain the approbation of God, and, secondly, that of their own conscience. Having done this, they would then willingly conciliate the good opinion of their fellow-men. But the truly little reverse the thing. The primary object with them is to secure the applause of their fellow-men; and having effected this, the approbation of God and their own conscience may follow on as they can.” MenFirstsMayLittlesDoneOpinionAtheismObjectsConscienceGainsFellowsSecurePrimariesReverseFellow ManApplause Book:Remarks on the Talents of Lord Byron and the Tendencies of Don Juan Source: Remarks on the Talents of Lord Byron and the Tendencies of Don Juan
“I have received your letter of the 6th, with the eloquent discourse delivered at the consecration of the Jewish Synagogue. Having ever regarded the freedom of religious opinions and worship as equally belonging to every sect, and the secure enjoyment of it as the best human provision for bringing all either into the same way of thinking, or into that mutual charity which is the only substitute, I observe with pleasure the view you give of the spirit in which your sect partake of the blessings offered by our Government and laws.” ThinkingWayGivingHumansGovernmentLawSpiritReligiousPleasureViewsOpinionAtheismBlessingWorshipLettersCharityPositive AtheismSecureEnjoymentMutualBelongingSubstitutesDiscourseWay Of ThinkingProvisionEloquentSectsSynagogueConsecration Book:1816-1828 Source: 1816-1828
“I don't make movies with the idea that people are going to walk out of them feeling comfortable or better about themselves or more secure in their own biases or opinions.” PeopleIdeasFeelingsWalksOpinionComfortableSecure Author:Todd Solondz
“There's only one critic whose opinion I really value, in the final analysis: Johnny Carson. I have never needed any entourage standing around bolstering my ego. I'm secure. I know exactly who and what I am. I don't need to be told. I make no apologies for being the way I am.” KnowsWayNeedsValuesOpinionNeededEgoStandingCriticsFinalsSecureAnalysisApologyEntourage Author:Johnny Carson