Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Alexander Hamilton and Jack London

Yesterday was the birthday of Alexander Hamilton, the American statesman (1755-1804) who said
A national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a national blessing.

A well adjusted person is one who makes the same mistake twice without getting nervous.

Constitutions should consist only of general provisions; the reason is that they must necessarily be permanent, and that they cannot calculate for the possible change of things.

Even to observe neutrality you must have a strong government.

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed, and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.

In the general course of human nature, A power over a man's subsistence amounts to a power over his will.

It is the advertiser who provides the paper for the subscriber. It is not to be disputed, that the publisher of a newspaper in this country, without a very exhaustive advertising support, would receive less reward for his labor than the humblest mechanic.

Learn to think continentally.

Man is a reasoning rather than a reasonable animal.

Today's birthday is Jack London, the American author (1876-1916) who wrote
A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.

I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.

The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.

You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.

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