“To argue with a man who has renounced his reason is like giving medicine to the dead.” -Thomas Paine There is no evidence or incontrovertible proof available to those who choose to cling to irrational prejudice and fear. Like giving medicine to the dead, rational thought and objective observation come too late.
Author Archives: Thomas Schueneman
On the Value of Hanging Out with the Right People
“Better fare hard with good men than feast it with bad” -Thomas Paine It is not the relative difficulty or ease, but the caliber of people with which we associate, that shapes the course of our lives.
On the Genius and Strength of Abraham Lincoln
“I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” -Thomas Paine, The American Crisis Lincoln’s time in the …
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On Having Sufficient Gratitude
“But if objects for gratitude and admiration are our desire, do they not present themselves every hour to our eyes?” -Thomas Paine, Age of Reason Hobbes said life was nasty, brutish, and short. There is no question that life is often hard, even nasty and brutish, certainly short. Even so, if you have time for …
On Hiding the Truth
Truth never envelops itself in mystery, and the mystery in which it is at any time enveloped is the work of its antagonist, and never of itself. Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason Truth is onto itself always, requiring nothing, and hiding from no one. Those that aim to deceive others from where truth lay, …
On Released Memos Justifying Torture
“An avidity to punish is always dangerous to liberty. It leads men to stretch, to misinterpret, and to misapply even the best of laws. He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates his duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.” -Thomas …
On Transparency in Government
A nation under a well regulated government, should permit none to remain uninstructed. It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support. -Thomas Paine, Rights of Man It is the government with something to hide, or thinks itself justified in so doing, that we must fear most.
On the Servitude of Fear
“…the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think.” -Thomas Paine, Rights of Man Fear is the enemy of reason. Fear invites suspicion, prejudice, division. Overcoming fear is the path to freedom.
On God’s Wrath
“Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man” -Thomas Paine We can have a loving God, or a cruel one. The true values of God are reflected in the actions of those whom profess belief.
On Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich
Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived. -Thomas Paine And so it appears that the Illinois governor is one ruffian that is now proving his true worth