The fact that man knows right from wrong proves his intellectual
superiority to other creatures; but the fact that he can do wrong proves
his moral inferiority to any creature that cannot. -- Mark Twain
A daily fortune or quote based on the Unix fortune program. Have it emailed to you daily, or browse this blog.
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Fortune Quote #3533
There is only one thing a philosopher can be relied upon to do, and that
is to contradict other philosophers. -- William James
is to contradict other philosophers. -- William James
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Fortune Quote #3532
Category theorists are dual to ordinary people: they often get more
confused when you surround an abstract concept with a lot of distacting
specifics. -- John Baez
confused when you surround an abstract concept with a lot of distacting
specifics. -- John Baez
Monday, March 28, 2022
Fortune Quote #3531
We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action
always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action.
-- Frank Tibolt
always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action.
-- Frank Tibolt
Sunday, March 27, 2022
Fortune Quote #3530
The reader should not attempt to form a mental picture of a closed
straight line. -- Frank Ayres, Jr., Projective Geometry
straight line. -- Frank Ayres, Jr., Projective Geometry
Saturday, March 26, 2022
Fortune Quote #3529
Whoever truly understands my music is free from the miseries that haunt
the world. -- Ludwig van Beethoven
the world. -- Ludwig van Beethoven
Friday, March 25, 2022
Fortune Quote #3528
The reason why so few good books are written is that so few people who can
write know anything. -- Walter Bagehot
write know anything. -- Walter Bagehot
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Fortune Quote #3527
In religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are in almost
every case gotten at second hand, and without examination. -- Mark
Twain
every case gotten at second hand, and without examination. -- Mark
Twain
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Fortune Quote #3526
There never has been and never will be a health care system in which all
people, regardless of class or condition, are treated equally. While the
rich and well-connected always get better access and treatment regardless
of how the health care system is organized, a government-run system can add
new levels of inequality based on social standing or political
position. -- James Frogue, Heritage Foundation report
people, regardless of class or condition, are treated equally. While the
rich and well-connected always get better access and treatment regardless
of how the health care system is organized, a government-run system can add
new levels of inequality based on social standing or political
position. -- James Frogue, Heritage Foundation report
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Fortune Quote #3525
Under universal health care, government rationing is inevitable.
Furthermore, the longer government subsidies are in place, the more acute
this problem will become. -- James Frogue, Heritage Foundation
report
Furthermore, the longer government subsidies are in place, the more acute
this problem will become. -- James Frogue, Heritage Foundation
report
Monday, March 21, 2022
Fortune Quote #3524
The ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are
right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly
understood. Indeed, the world is ruled by little else. Practical men, who
believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influences, are
usually the slaves of some defunct economist. Madmen in authority, who
hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic
scribbler of a few years back. -- John Maynard Keynes
right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly
understood. Indeed, the world is ruled by little else. Practical men, who
believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influences, are
usually the slaves of some defunct economist. Madmen in authority, who
hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic
scribbler of a few years back. -- John Maynard Keynes
Sunday, March 20, 2022
Fortune Quote #3523
More children under five drown in [five-gallon plastic] water buckets than
children under ten die from any type of accidental gunshot. -- John
R. Lott, Jr.
children under ten die from any type of accidental gunshot. -- John
R. Lott, Jr.
Saturday, March 19, 2022
Fortune Quote #3522
In a nation supposedly committed to free enterprise, consumer choice, and
equal educational opportunities, school choice should be routine. That it
is not demonstrates the clout and determination of those dedicated to
preserving the government's monopoly over public education. --
Clint Bolick
equal educational opportunities, school choice should be routine. That it
is not demonstrates the clout and determination of those dedicated to
preserving the government's monopoly over public education. --
Clint Bolick
Friday, March 18, 2022
Fortune Quote #3521
The evidence in this case shows that delays in the public health care
system are widespread and that in some serious cases, patients die as a
result of waiting lists for public health care.... In sum, the prohibition
on obtaining private health insurance is not constitutional where the
public system fails to deliver reasonable services. -- The Canadian
Supreme Court, June 9, 2005
system are widespread and that in some serious cases, patients die as a
result of waiting lists for public health care.... In sum, the prohibition
on obtaining private health insurance is not constitutional where the
public system fails to deliver reasonable services. -- The Canadian
Supreme Court, June 9, 2005
Thursday, March 17, 2022
Fortune Quote #3520
Although there are now twice as many of us as there were in 1961, each of
us has more to eat, in both developed and developing countries. Fewer
people are starving. Food is far cheaper these days and food-wise the
world is quite simply a better place for far more people. -- Bjorn
Lomborg, author of "The Skeptical Environmentalist"
us has more to eat, in both developed and developing countries. Fewer
people are starving. Food is far cheaper these days and food-wise the
world is quite simply a better place for far more people. -- Bjorn
Lomborg, author of "The Skeptical Environmentalist"
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Fortune Quote #3519
Look around the world: countries that are economic basket cases are also
environmental nightmares. In countries where the economies are relatively
free from government interference, the natural environment is cleaner than
in countries with state-controlled economies. -- Mark W. Smith
environmental nightmares. In countries where the economies are relatively
free from government interference, the natural environment is cleaner than
in countries with state-controlled economies. -- Mark W. Smith
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Fortune Quote #3518
To predict anything about the world a hundred years from now is simply
absurd.... Let's think back to people in 1900 in, say, New York. If they
worried about people in 2000, what would they worry about? Probably: Where
would people get enough horses? And what would they do about all the horse
shit? Horse pollution was bad in 1900; think how much worse it would be a
century later, with so many people riding horses. But of course, within a
few years, nobody rode horses except for sport. -- Michael Crichton
absurd.... Let's think back to people in 1900 in, say, New York. If they
worried about people in 2000, what would they worry about? Probably: Where
would people get enough horses? And what would they do about all the horse
shit? Horse pollution was bad in 1900; think how much worse it would be a
century later, with so many people riding horses. But of course, within a
few years, nobody rode horses except for sport. -- Michael Crichton
Monday, March 14, 2022
Fortune Quote #3517
Nobody believes a weather prediction twelve hours ahead. Now we're asked
to believe a prediction that goes out a hundred years into the future? And
make financial investments based on that prediction? Has everybody lost
their minds? -- Michael Crichton, on the global warming hypothesis
to believe a prediction that goes out a hundred years into the future? And
make financial investments based on that prediction? Has everybody lost
their minds? -- Michael Crichton, on the global warming hypothesis
Sunday, March 13, 2022
Fortune Quote #3516
It should be a source of great pride to bear the next generation and to
train that generation's minds and morals. That is certainly a greater
accomplishment than churning out tracts raging at men and families. It is
fine that women are taking up careers, but the price from that need not be
the demoralization of women who do not choose that path. -- Judge
Robert Bork
train that generation's minds and morals. That is certainly a greater
accomplishment than churning out tracts raging at men and families. It is
fine that women are taking up careers, but the price from that need not be
the demoralization of women who do not choose that path. -- Judge
Robert Bork
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Fortune Quote #3515
If a fertilized egg is not by itself a full human being, it could never
become a man, because something would have to be added to it, and we know
that does not happen. -- Professor Jerome Lejeune
become a man, because something would have to be added to it, and we know
that does not happen. -- Professor Jerome Lejeune
Friday, March 11, 2022
Fortune Quote #3514
Ethnic pride is a very good thing. America is one of the places which
most reveres the distinctive ethnic, racial, religious heritage of our
various peoples. The days when immigrants felt compelled to Anglicize
their last name or deny their heritage are, thankfully, gone. But pride in
one's ethnic and racial heritage must never become an excuse to withdraw
from the larger American community. That does not honor diversity; it
breeds divisiveness. And that could weaken America. -- Bill Clinton
most reveres the distinctive ethnic, racial, religious heritage of our
various peoples. The days when immigrants felt compelled to Anglicize
their last name or deny their heritage are, thankfully, gone. But pride in
one's ethnic and racial heritage must never become an excuse to withdraw
from the larger American community. That does not honor diversity; it
breeds divisiveness. And that could weaken America. -- Bill Clinton
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Fortune Quote #3513
My position on illegal immigration? It's illegal. -- U.S.
Congressman Sonny Bono
Congressman Sonny Bono
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Fortune Quote #3512
Government-sponsored racial discrimination based on benign prejudice is
just as noxious as discrimination inspired by malicious prejudice. In each
instance, it is racial discrimination, plain and simple. -- Supreme
Court Justice Clarence Thomas
just as noxious as discrimination inspired by malicious prejudice. In each
instance, it is racial discrimination, plain and simple. -- Supreme
Court Justice Clarence Thomas
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Fortune Quote #3511
In regard to the colored people... Do nothing with us! Your doing with us
has already played the mischief with us... And if the Negro cannot stand on
his own legs, let him fall also. All I ask is, give him a chance to stand
on his own legs! Let him alone... Your interference is doing him positive
injury. -- Frederick Douglass
has already played the mischief with us... And if the Negro cannot stand on
his own legs, let him fall also. All I ask is, give him a chance to stand
on his own legs! Let him alone... Your interference is doing him positive
injury. -- Frederick Douglass
Monday, March 7, 2022
Fortune Quote #3510
Nothing justifies a highway patrolman searching specifically for minority
drivers to stop and harass them when there is no reason for suspicion. But
that's a far cry from an airport security guard deciding to search the
bearded guy in a turban with a Saudi passport, clutching the Qur'an,
instead of the Japanese tourist snapping photos behind him in line.
-- Mark W. Smith
drivers to stop and harass them when there is no reason for suspicion. But
that's a far cry from an airport security guard deciding to search the
bearded guy in a turban with a Saudi passport, clutching the Qur'an,
instead of the Japanese tourist snapping photos behind him in line.
-- Mark W. Smith
Sunday, March 6, 2022
Fortune Quote #3509
The consideration of race or ethnicity is hardly new in terrorist or
criminal profiling. To thwart the Italian mafia, law enforcement
investigated Italian males. To stop a Jamaican drug posse, look for
Jamaicans. And to stop the Irish Republican Army, find the white guys with
brogues. In each of these examples, race and ethnicity are critically
important. However, none of them really constitute `racial' profiling.
Instead, these examples reflect `criminal' or `terrorist'
profiling. -- Mark W. Smith
criminal profiling. To thwart the Italian mafia, law enforcement
investigated Italian males. To stop a Jamaican drug posse, look for
Jamaicans. And to stop the Irish Republican Army, find the white guys with
brogues. In each of these examples, race and ethnicity are critically
important. However, none of them really constitute `racial' profiling.
Instead, these examples reflect `criminal' or `terrorist'
profiling. -- Mark W. Smith
Saturday, March 5, 2022
Fortune Quote #3508
Most Americans who are considered `poor' today have routine access to a
quality of housing, food, health care, consumer products, entertainment,
communications, and transportation that even the Vanderbilts, the
Carnegies, the Rockefellers, and the nineteenth- century European princes,
with all their wealth, could not have afforded. -- Stephen Moore
quality of housing, food, health care, consumer products, entertainment,
communications, and transportation that even the Vanderbilts, the
Carnegies, the Rockefellers, and the nineteenth- century European princes,
with all their wealth, could not have afforded. -- Stephen Moore
Friday, March 4, 2022
Fortune Quote #3507
Since CAFE legislation took effect, more people have been killed because
of it than died in Vietnam. -- Jerry Ralph Curry, former head of
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
of it than died in Vietnam. -- Jerry Ralph Curry, former head of
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Fortune Quote #3506
To be controlled in our economic pursuits means to be controlled in
everything. -- Friedrich August von Hayek
everything. -- Friedrich August von Hayek
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Fortune Quote #3505
Today the typical American, defined as poor by the government, has a
refrigerator, a stove, a clothes washer, a car, air conditioning, a VCR, a
microwave, a stereo, and a color TV. He is able to obtain medical care and
his home is in good repair and is not overcrowded. By his own report, his
family is not hungry and in the last year he had sufficient funds to meet
his essential needs. While this individual's life is not opulent, it is
equally far from the popular images of poverty conveyed by politicians, the
press, and activists. -- Robert E. Rector, Kirk A. Johnson, and
Sarah E. Youssef, "The Extent of Material Hardship and Poverty
in the United States"
refrigerator, a stove, a clothes washer, a car, air conditioning, a VCR, a
microwave, a stereo, and a color TV. He is able to obtain medical care and
his home is in good repair and is not overcrowded. By his own report, his
family is not hungry and in the last year he had sufficient funds to meet
his essential needs. While this individual's life is not opulent, it is
equally far from the popular images of poverty conveyed by politicians, the
press, and activists. -- Robert E. Rector, Kirk A. Johnson, and
Sarah E. Youssef, "The Extent of Material Hardship and Poverty
in the United States"
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Fortune Quote #3504
A hundred years ago, the rich man drove a car and the poor man walked.
That was a big difference. Today, the rich man drives a new Porsche and
the poor man drives a second-hand Honda Civic. That is not such a big
difference. A century ago, rich families avoided the cold weather by going
to Florida for the winter. Meanwhile, poor families braved the elements.
Today, most families, whatever their economic status, enjoy central
heating; but the poor have benefited more from this invention because it
has alleviated a situation from which they previously had no
escape. -- Dinesh D'Souza
That was a big difference. Today, the rich man drives a new Porsche and
the poor man drives a second-hand Honda Civic. That is not such a big
difference. A century ago, rich families avoided the cold weather by going
to Florida for the winter. Meanwhile, poor families braved the elements.
Today, most families, whatever their economic status, enjoy central
heating; but the poor have benefited more from this invention because it
has alleviated a situation from which they previously had no
escape. -- Dinesh D'Souza
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