“For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearances, as though they were realities, and are often more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are.”

Well Du-uhhh!

Would that it were otherwise...

Our politicians are really good at keeping up appearances. It doesn't take much logic to see their fallicies. The problem is people too often react with emotion rather than logic and reason ... you know, common sense!

A knowledge politicians, especially the fascist kind, have known and used to their advantage for centuries....and especially now in the U.S.

Still true to this verry day! I refer you to G.W. Bushwakers, STATE of the union, message. Thanks and keep up the good work.

The interesting thing is that this was said 500 years ago, around the same time the Europeans were setting off for new worlds. This observation was made with the old worlds in view. The spread of alleged civilization brought along with it the spread of alleged culture, alleged humanity, and alleged wisdom.

And a Humorist....not bad, but I prefer this one, "Whenever the majority of men are not deprived of their property or honor, they live contentedly" -- Niccolň Machiavelli, The Prince; Page 79

Machiavelli was a political animal who had us pegged a long, long time ago. We don't change. I wonder if THE PRINCE is required reading in high school or colleges these days. It should be.

Re: A. Jurgensen, I think the answer is no, it's not required. I was shocked when I mentioned 'Machiavelli' to a neighbor then had to give a 'hint' ('The Prince') to which she said "Oh, 'The Little Prince', yes, I read that." I got up ten minutes later.

Yes keep the mass ignorant

I was required to read the Prince in college. Very interesting. However, not everything works the way he describes it. Especially with how to deal with enemies, tempting however frowned upon by society. But then you could get into Freud and that's a whole other topic

The reality of the times are economic melt down, man's inhumanity to man, and the need for immediate gratification while, a great number of mankind are satisfied with appearances, as though they were realities, such as the occupying statist theocracy infesting this land - their media, schools, etc. and those that are influenced by the blaming of the other guy and not grasping Einstein's statement: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Yet, we allow these Elected Officials to continue in their acts of betrayal and treason, against the very people they were sent to represent, against The Constitution they have sworn to defend! Is not the true atrocity that we have allowed this to continue for so many generations? Indeed, our forefathers would roll in their graves to know of the complacency and cowardice displayed in our inactions!

It is the fault of the People for having so much disdain for truth that appearances are more important than content. We have been so conditioned that we wear ties around our necks and borrow ourselves into perpetual debt so that we can live like the royalty of old. We elect the guys with the best 'act' -- an honest man has no chance of representing the people of a county, state or nation. The worship of power and influence is what drives politics, truth is enslaved for their own self interests. When the American people choose to live honestly and honorably, then there is a chance for us -- otherwise, it is perpetual war between truth and lies.

"Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable , and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind." George Orwell. Remember this when you hear a politician spouting off about anything.

A good example for the accepted appearance of freedom vs. what freedom "IS"; is license. A license is: “A right given by some competent authority to do an act, which without such authority would be illegal” (Bouvier’s Law Dictionary) “A personal privilege to do some particular act or series of acts ⋯ The permission by competent authority to do an act which, without such permission would be illegal, a trespass, a tort, or otherwise not allowable.” (Black’s Law Dictionary, 6th Edition) When, in American history, was the religious sacrament of marriage between consenting adults ever an unlawful act that needed a competent authority to give a privilege to break such no-marriage law? ? ? Freedom of religion is when 2 consenting adults can freely enter into a covenant with each other (no despots permission required)

Concerning traffic foopaws (<- technical legal term ;-) - one party harming another party). Is it easier for a judge to say: "As punishment for your crime, I take your license for 90 days; OR, As punishment for your crime, you can't drive for 90 days ? One is despotic tyranny with a claimed appearance of freedom while the other is justice in action.

The accuracy of the statement is also exposed by the individual(s) that think the more licenses they have, the freer they are. Hey, their god has given them multiple privileges to break many laws (to contract, own things, etc., etc., etc.). True freedom would be that all such are inalienable rights, not needing another's permission.

The father of political science ? Spoken by a Republican, from one of the most warring nations on the planet. Other reads are very informing, but to pointed to mention ! Worldly wisdom is a very sharp sword, but there is that, which is Much Sharper ! Semper Fi

I am of the minority view for being a fake does not serve me well as it does the majority. Reality serves my purposes well.