A society of men.....
There can be no enduring liberty, within today's Western nations, if even a [large] minority of the peoples of those Western nations have no respect for the laws, institutions of government, and no respect for a fair [i.e.
legally instituted] electoral process.
Lawlessness can only presage common and political violence, ....and then, eventually oppression and a 'constituted' tyranny.
Widespread lawlessness among a people.....
That is how we lose democracy.
That is how we lose our individual liberty and our peace.
Russia, pre the 1917 revolution ?
China, pre WWII ?
The common people - seeking only their own personal interests - are silly [unwise].
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Among a people generally corrupt, liberty cannot long exist.
- Edmund Burke
None can love freedom so heartily, but good men; the rest have not freedom, but licence.
- John Hamilton
The best way to convince a fool he is wrong is to let him have his way.
- Josh Billings
".....lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God."
2 Timothy 3:1
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Proverbs 28:4
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
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Quote:
consider this logic circle...
When TRUTH [free and open] is embraced by a people, it brings JUSTICE.
JUSTICE brings PEACE.
PEACE brings PROSPERITY.
PROSPERITY brings GREED, ENVY and PRIDE [vanity] to the hearts of men.
GREED, ENVY and PRIDE are the servants of EVIL [intent].
TRUTH is always the 'cornerstone' of the [transient] building, PROSPERITY.
But, TRUTH is hated and despised by the EVIL heart.
And, if the love of TRUTH in men is displaced, by their embrace of EVIL, then....
When EVIL abides in the hearts of men [empowered by its servants GREED, ENVY and PRIDE],
....JUSTICE and PEACE will be, destroyed by EVIL [intents].
....[and the 'building'] PROSPERITY, will then quickly crumble into dust.
WAR and CONFLICT and DESTRUCTION cannot be far off.
POVERTY and WAR abide together, until they destroy PRIDE [in the heart of men].
When PRIDE is absent, TRUTH will then seek [but is not assured] a presence.
If a love a TRUTH is again embraced [among men], EVIL [intent] will be banished from among them.