The modern mind dislikes gold because it blurts out unpleasant truths.

Pessimistic visions about almost anything always strike the public as more erudite than optimistic ones

I set out to become the greatest lover in Vienna, the greatest horseman in Austria, and the greatest economist in the world. Alas, for the illusions of youth: as a horseman, I was never really first-rate.

In one important sense, Marxism is a religion. To the believer it presents, first, a system of ultimate ends that embody the meaning of life and are absolute standards by which to judge events and actions; and, secondly, a guide to those ends which implies a plan of salvation and the indication of the evil from which mankind, or a chosen section of mankind, is to be saved.

Politicians are like bad horsemen who are so preoccupied with staying in the saddle that they can't bother about where they're going.

The trouble with Russia is not that she is socialist but that she is Russia.

To the believer Marxism presents, first, a system of ultimate ends that embody the meaning of life and are absolute standards by which to judge events and actions.