For argument based on knowledge implies instruction, and there are people whom one cannot instruct - Aristotle
Friday, 9 September 2022
Monarchs Mysteries and Majorities
Monarchs
These rich men have no secrets from each other. They form a coterie, closer than any coterie of ours Eugen, and far more powerful. They talk, and in talking they rule the world, these millionaires. They are the real monarchs.
Arnold Bennett
Mysteries
The Government, that is, the aristocracy of lawyers and bankers who represent the country to-day, just as the priests used to do in the time of the monarchy, has felt the necessity of mystifying the worthy people of France with a few new words and old ideas, like philosophers of every school, and all strong intellects ever since time began.
Honoré de Balzac
Majorities
In fifty years there will be nothing in Europe but Presidents of Republics, not one King left. And with those four letters K-I-N-G, go the priests and the gentlemen. I can see nothing but candidates paying court to draggletailed majorities.
Stendhal
Labels:
Arnold Bennett,
Balzac,
Stendhal
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
You’ve been thinking again! Do yourself an injury you will. 🫣
Monarchs used to wreck the economy with pointless wars, but today we do it by paying people to stay at home in case they catch a cold.
That's progress for ya.
James - I'm thinking of giving it up though.
Sam - strange times. The strangeness will fade quickly but it's worth hanging on to it because it tells us something about progress.
Post a Comment