Laura, you have given this quote five stars for the same reason I have given it one. The positive worldview expounded is false unless you assume kindly and helpful to mean in the context of a business transaction which I am sure the author is not. And the negative worldview expressed is false (for me) in that it violaes my own moral code.

0 for 3 today.

Society devolves that way. Society evolves when good men are productive.

He had me until the end; death and doom are not synonymous.

Waffler, Preachers have every right to believe anything they please. However, preaching as a profession is a little like walking around a small circle.

RBESRQ, I wish that on of the names at the top of your list had taught you to be more discriminating. Imagine how much shorter and to the point that list could have been. I do salute you for trying to prove the above quote with your "incessantly repeated blunders."

How is it that you are all hung up on the religious references in the quote and ignoring the central theme that humanity is an inherently ignorant and vile being? This man is an enabler of thieves and looters.

It is action towards definable goals in one's own self-interest that sets men apart. Learning and practice make action possible but are useless without it.

I find this quote disgusting. Rarely can so little be said with so many words. An honest man knows what is right because it is right.

Spectacular quote, though I would say Wisdom is knowing what to do next and why.

One who knows that they are a slave, is apt to do something about it. And to those who think there are degrees of freedom, you are even more deranged than the other apathetic fools.

...for the purpose of theft.

The chosen body of citizens we have now are liars and thieves, elected by thieves and liars. Everyone is well aware of the quality of those in Washington but most refuse to say it in absolute terms. Moral men avoid politics for what it has become and I cannot blame them. If you asked the average American on the street what freedom was, your answer would invariably either be some rot about getting to do whatever you want, or some infantile, circular argument about fairness and equality. Grow up America. Freedom is the right to the goods and services you produce, without interference. The enemies of freedom are those who would confiscate your labor for "the common good". There is no freedom in a world where a man is forced to serve those who would rob him of his labor. Madison was one of the greatest salesmen ever peddling one of the worst products ever conceived of by man: tyranny.

My allegiance is to myself. False patriotism is a tool of looters.

"Caesar" is in this context is meant as a broad euphemism for any temporary earthly force that would rob you of your labor. "Caesar" can be a political body, a religious organization, or the governing board of a corporation. I believe Jesus warns us that although the fruits of your labor may be taken from you, you must continue to serve God only.

For too long many of us were ready with our rifles but not with our voices. A government can only oppress those who consent to be oppressed.

True always from my point-of-view.

True, but the labors of a few have always protected the freedoms of the many. And the many continue expecting libery when they deserve serfdom.

General Patton wants us to remember the benefits of war, not the costs. I believe both should be weighed equally.

Both are the victims of a lazy and gluttonous society.

Adams stops short before arriving at heart of the matter. A ruler is by definition a criminal, regardless of character or conduct. John Adams was a monarchist.

Little more can be said.

Clemens had a way of putting words in dead peoples’ mouths; it seems fitting that so many others would do him the same disservice. As for the quote, it is too shallow to be of much value. I prefer this William James Quote: "Action may not bring happiness but there is no happiness without action.”

Ignorance is bliss until a steel collar is fastened around your neck.

This is a wonderfully succinct quote. Apathy is consent.