We have failed to practise ourselves the kind of behaviour we expect from other people.

The modern State exists not to protect our rights but to do us good or make us good - anyway, to do something to us or to make us something. Hence the new name 'leaders' for those who were once 'rulers'. We are less their subjects than their wards, pupils, or domestic animals. There is nothing left of which we can say to them, 'Mind your own business.' Our whole lives are their business.

Kids like us don't often have the chance of meeting a great warrior like you. Would you have a little fencing match with me? It would be frightfully decent.

We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.

Every object you see before you at this moment -the walls, ceiling, and furniture, the book, your own washed hands and cut fingernails, bears witness to the colonization of Nature of Reason.

Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive.

When things go wrong, you'll find they usually go on getting worse for some time; but when things once start going right they often go on getting better and better.