WIST

Permanent crisis justifies permanent control of every body and everything by the agencies of central government.

Aldous Huxley (1894-1963) English novelist, essayist and critic
Brave New World, Revisited, “Over-Population” (1958)

The Many can elect after the Few have nominated.

Walter Lippmann (1889-1974) American journalist and author
Public Opinion, 14.6 (1922)

The eloquence that diverts us to itself harms its content.

Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) French essayist
“Of the Education of Children,” Essays (1588) [Tr. D. Frame (1958)]

For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.

Sun-Tzu (fl. 6th C. AD) Chinese general and philosopher [a.k.a. Sun Wu]
The Art of War, ch. 3
Alt. trans.:

• "Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting"
• "The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities .... It is best to win without fighting."

In my heart there may be doubt that I deserve the Nobel award over other men of letters whom I hold in respect and reverence — but there is no question of my pleasure and pride in having it for myself.

John Steinbeck (1902-1968) American writer
Nobel prize acceptance speech (10 Dec 1962)
Full text.