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Regret Quotes

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Regret Quotes

“As someone who worked hard for a Labour victory in the 90s, do I regret it? Not really. It was bound to happen. And it'll happen with the next government, and the one after it. Because all governments serve us. They serve the filth.”

Hard Government Happens Next Comedy Regret Victory Bounds Labour I Regret Filth

Author:Stephen Fry

“Plato says that the punishment which the wise suffer who refuse to take part in the government, is, to live under the government of worse men; and the like regret is suggested to all the auditors, as the penalty of abstaining to speak,--that they shall hear worse orators than themselves.”

Men Government Suffering Speak Wise Regret Refuse Punishment Penalties Plato Orators Auditors Abstaining

Book:Society and Solitude: Twelve Chapters

Source: Society and Solitude: Twelve Chapters

“China didn't want to lose the cutting edge of technology. So the idea of having a Sina Weibo was an attempt to compete with Twitter. However, it has no soul - which is freedom of expression. Nevertheless, I think the government regrets having Sina Weibo, but they cannot shut it down. That would definitely be suicidal.”

Thinking Want Ideas Soul Government Loses Technology Cutting Expression Regret Edges China Nevertheless Suicidal Freedom Of Expression Cutting Edge

Author:Ai Weiwei

“The combination of the growth of these digital technologies, the ability of the government to conjure up these secret interpretations, plus a very unusual and novel court make for this ever-expanding surveillance state. We so treasure our freedoms; we will regret it if our generation doesn't use this unique time to reform the surveillance laws and make it clear that security and liberty are not mutually exclusive. We can do both.”

“At some point we must draw a line across the ground of our home and our being, drive a spear into the land and say to the bulldozers, earthmovers, government and corporations, "thus far and no further." If we do not, we shall later feel, instead of pride, the regret of Thoreau, that good but overly-bookish man, who wrote, near the end of his life, "If I repent of anything it is likely to be my good behaviour.”

Ifs Men Feels Ends Home Government Lines Land Regret Pride Draws Corporations Behaviour Repent Spears Bulldozers

Author:Edward Abbey

“After Hurricane Katrina, many people said that the levees were not as effective as the natural vegetation that had been removed at the coast. So that means as we develop these seaside land masses, we need to have enough knowledge to not regret in the future. We know that the US government is literally buying these lands back to allow them to be rehabilitated.”

People Knows Needs Mean Said Enough Government Natural Land Regret Mass Buying Coast Hurricanes Katrina Vegetation Hurricane Katrina Levees

Author:Wangari Maathai

“The sober people of America are weary of the fluctuating policy which has directed the public councils. They have seen with regret and indignation that sudden changes and legislative interferences, in cases affecting personal rights, become jobs in the hands of enterprising and influential speculators, and snares to the more-industrious and less informed part of the community. They have seen, too, that one legislative interference is but the first link of a long chain of repetitions, every subsequent interference being naturally produced by the effects of the preceding.”

Source: The Origin of the Nation: Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights and Other Amendments, Federalist Papers & Common Sense: Creating America - Landmark Documents that Shaped a New Nation

“I regret, as much as any member, the unavoidable weight and duration of the burdens to be imposed; having never been a proselyte to the doctrine, that public debts are public benefits. I consider them, on the contrary, as evils which ought to be removed as fast as honor and justice will permit.”

Government Evil Justice Regret Ought Honor Members Benefits Weight Burden Debt Spending Contrary Doctrine Permit I Regret Duration Government Spending

Book:The Writings of James Madison: 1787-1790

Source: The Writings of James Madison: 1787-1790

“Regret what? That secret operation was an excellent idea. It had the effect of drawing the Russians into the Afghan trap and you want me to regret it? The day that the Soviets officially crossed the border, I wrote to President Carter. We now have the opportunity of giving to the USSR its Vietnam war. Indeed, for almost 10 years, Moscow had to carry on a war unsupportable by the government, a conflict that brought about the demoralization and finally the breakup of the Soviet empire.”

“After eight years as President I have only two regrets: that I have not shot Henry Clay or hanged John C. Calhoun.”

Years Two Government President Regret Shots Eight Clay

Author:Andrew Jackson