WIST Quotations

Tocqueville, Alexis de -- Democracy in America, Vol. 1, pt. 2, ch. 14 (1835)

Dave — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 15:19:22 +0000

If an American were condemned to confine his activity to his own affairs, he would be robbed of one half of his existence.

Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859) French writer, diplomat, politician
Democracy in America, Vol. 1, pt. 2, ch. 14 (1835)

Pratchett, Terry -- Discworld No. 4, Mort (1987)

Dave — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:12:02 +0000

Albert grunted. “Do you know what happens to lads who ask too many questions?”
Mort thought for a moment. “No,” he said eventually, “what?”
There was silence.
Then Albert straightened up and said, “Damned if I know. Probably they get answers, and serve ’em right.”

Terry Pratchett (1948–2015) English author
Discworld No. 4, Mort (1987)

Brandeis, Louis -- Olmstead v. United States, 277 U.S. 438 (1928) [dissent]

Dave — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:19:24 +0000

The makers of our Constitution undertook to secure conditions favorable to the pursuit of happiness. They recognized the significance of man’s spiritual nature, of his feelings and of his intellect. They knew that only a part of the pain, pleasure and satisfactions of life are to be found in material things. They sought to protect Americans in their beliefs, their thoughts, their emotions and their sensations. They conferred, as against the government, the right to be let alone — the most comprehensive of rights and the right most valued by civilized men.

Louis Brandeis (1856–1941) American lawyer, jurist, activist; US Supreme Court Justice (1916–39)
Olmstead v. United States, 277 U.S. 438 (1928) [dissent]