“Why do men continue to practise on themselves the absurdities they despise in others?”-Thomas Paine Or perhaps “me thinks thou doth protest too much”. There are many ways to look at the same idea. Often, what we despise the most in others is what we despise the most in ourselves. Tags: thomas+paine, thomas+paine+quotes, pot+calling+the+kettle+black, hypocrisy, interpreting+quotes
Author Archives: Thomas Schueneman
On the Left, the Right, and the Blogosphere
“Serious argument and sound reasoning are preferable to ridicule.”-Thomas Paine And if you don’t agree with me, you’re an idiot… Tags: thomas+paine, thomas+paine+quotes, blogosphere, political+debate, debate+in+the+blogosphere, political+blogs
On Wariness of the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing – And Other Animal Analogies
“Could the wolf bleat like the lamb the flock would soon be enticed into ruin.”-Thomas Paine If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, take a closer look. It might not be a duck. Wit and diligence are not the sole domain of the wolf. Tags: thomas+paine, thomas+paine+quotes, quotes+interpreted, wolf+in+sheeps+clothing
On Admitting When It’s Your Bad
“More mischief is effected by wrapping up guilt in splendid excuse, than by directly patronizing it.”-Thomas Paine The best way to absolve guilt and move on is to simply admit it. “Hey, man; My Bad…” Tags: thomas+paine, thomas+paine+quotes, admitting+guilt, my+bad
On an Intolerant World View
“A narrow system of politics, like a narrow system of religion, is calculated only to sour the temper, and be at variance with mankind.”-Thomas Paine, The Crisis For all that might separate and divide us, politics and religion can be the most insidious when, on their face, they claim inclusion and in reality they sow …
On the Bluster of Rush Limbaugh
“Among ridiculous things nothing is more ridiculous than ridiculous rage”-Thomas Paine Bluster and swagger, such as the type practiced daily by the likes of Rush Limbaugh, are not the domain of any prescient wisdom or truly moral indignation. It merely calls attention to itself and, more often than not, shows itself for what it is: a cheap and cynical …
On the Constitution vs. the Bush Administration
“A Constitution is the property of a Nation, and not those who exercise the Government.”-Thomas Paine, the Rights of Man George Bush barely hides his near contempt for the Constitution, apparently seeing it as something of an obstacle to his total grip on power. Several sources have confirmed his angry retort at a staff meeting …
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On the Use and Abuse of Power and Liberty
“Those who abuse liberty when they possess it would abuse power could they obtain it”-Thomas Paine The genius of the Constitution is in the assurance of liberty for the many and balance of power away from the one, or the few. In theory at least. How does that theory hold up in 2007? Tags: thomas+paine, thomas+paine+quotes, abuse+power, …
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On Striving to Look at the World with Astonishment
“Wise men are astonished at foolish things, and other people at wise ones”-Thomas Paine And it is to the higher expectations of the wise that the rest of us should always aspire. Tags: thomas+paine, thomas+paine+quotes, wisdom, foolish
On Keeping the True Cause Alive in Troubled Times
“Though the cause of America is the most honorable that man ever engaged in, I am not so dazzled by it as not to perceive the faults that are twisting themselves round it, and unnaturally claiming kindred with it.”–Thomas Paine In a troubled time such as we live, it is too easy to be dazzled …
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