Quotes Library

November 30, 2025

Democracy encourages the majority to decide things about which the majority is blissfully ignorant.

John Simon (1925–2019), American author and critic, The Portable Curmudgeon, Jon Winokur, ed. (New York: 1987), p.84

Is this the essential weakness of democracy? Do you now understand your purpose in life (political life, that is)?

The truth is that the vast majority of the majority of people don’t give a fig about the things you decide, unless and until it impacts them in some negative way, at which point you will be entirely to blame, even if you voted “No” on the matter.


More Quotes

August 2, 2025
I have spent much of my life fighting the Germans and fighting the politicians.
July 10, 2025
The magistrate ought definitely to bear in mind that he represents the state.
September 1, 2025
Politicians neither love nor hate. Interest, not sentiment, directs them.
Page 118 of 122