Samizdata

No kingdom can be secured otherwise than by arming the people. The possession of arms is the distinction between a freeman and a slave. He, who has nothing, and who himself belongs to another, must be defended by him, whose property he is, and needs no arms. But he, who thinks he is his own master, and has what he can call his own, ought to have arms to defend himself, and what he possesses; else he lives precariously, and at discretion.
– James Burgh from Political Disquisitions: or, an Enquiry into Public
Errors, Defects, and Abuses, London, 1774-1775

Princes and democratic majorities are drunk with power. They must reluctantly admit that they are subject to the laws of nature. But they reject the very notion of economic law.
– Ludwig von Mises, Human action: A Treatise on Economics

If you had bought $1000 worth of Nortel stock one year ago, it would now
be worth $49. With Enron, you would have $16.50 of the original $1,000.
With Worldcom, you would have less than $5 left. If you had bought $1,000 worth of Budweiser (the beer, not the stock) one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the cans for the 10 cent deposit, you would have $214. Based on the above, my current investment advice is to drink beer and recycle.
– Unknown, (via Alexander Baron)

[Editors comments: My only trouble with this advise, oh wise Illuminatus, is the choice of Budweiser. To quote ‘Spike’ from ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’: “Many American beers are under-rated… this ain’t one of them”]

It is best to act with confidence no matter how little right you have to it.
– Lillian Hellman

Carter said to the Cuban people that the most important right is the freedom of assembly. The place where most Cubans assemble? Miami!
– Jay Leno, on ex-President Carter’s visit to Cuba

He who understands neither judges nor offends.
-Anonymous