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In making the great experiment of governing people by consent rather than by coercion, it is not sufficient that the party in power should have a majority. It is just as necessary that the party in power should never outrage the minority.

Walter Lippmann

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Walter Lippmann
Age: 85 †
Born: 1889
Born: September 23
Died: 1974
Died: December 14
Journalist
Politician
Writer
New York City
New York
Rather
Consent
Making
Experiment
Power
Minorities
Great
Experiments
Never
Sufficient
Coercion
People
Majority
Outrage
Necessary
Governing
Party
Minority

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When philosophers try to be politicians they generally cease to be philosophers.
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Whatever truth you contribute to the world will be one lucky shot in a thousand misses. You cannot be right by holding your breath and taking precautions.
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The self-evident truth which makes men invincible is that inalienably they are inviolable persons.
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Men fall into a routine when they are tired and slack: it has all the appearance of activity with few of its burdens.
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No amount of charters, direct primaries, or short ballots will make a democracy out of an illiterate people.
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There is but one bond of peace that is both permanent and enriching: The increasing knowledge of the world in which experiment occurs.
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A more conscious life is one in which a man is conscious not only of what he sees, but of the prejudices with which he sees it.
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When everyone thinks alike, no one thinks very much.
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He has honor if he holds himself to an ideal of conduct though it is inconvenient, unprofitable, or dangerous to do so.
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And the principle which distinguishes democracy from all other forms of government is that in a democracy the opposition not only is tolerated as constitutional but must be maintained because it is in fact indispensable.
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The time has come to stop beating our heads against stone walls under the illusion that we have been appointed policeman to the human race.
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Every man whose business it is to think knows that he must for part of the day create about himself a pool of silence.
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Democracy is much too important to be left to public opinion.
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The consent of the governed is more than a safeguard against ignorant tyrants: it is an insurance against benevolent despots as well.
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