Today Quotes
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Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.Lord Acton, 1887
The end excuses any evil.Sophocles, Electra (c.409 BC)
The end always passes judgement on what has gone before.Publilius Syrus
The result justifies the deed. (Exitus acta probat)Ovid, Heorides (c. 10 BC)
The line, often adopted by strong men in controversy, of justifying the means by the end.Saint Jerome, Letter 48
The ends must justify the means.Matthew Prior, "Hans Carvel" (1701)
The first sign of corruption in a society that is still alive is that the end justifies the means.Georges Bernanos, "Why Freedom?" The Last Essays of Georges Bernanos, 1955
The world must be made safe for democracy.Woodrow Wilson, April 2, 1917
Men are generally idle, and ready to satisfy themselves, and intimidate the industry of others, by calling that impossible which is only difficult.Samuel Johnson, Life of Boerhaave
Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events.Sir Winston Churchill