Will Rogers

"An economist's guess is liable to be as good as anybody else's." - Will Rogers

At least if it is an economics question.

Michel de Montaigne, essayist (1533-1592)

The souls of emperors and cobblers are cast in the same mold. The same reason that makes us wrangle with a neighbor creates a war betwixt princes. -Michel de Montaigne, essayist (1533-1592)

Hopefully, in these days of republics and constitutional monarchies, wars are not launched on such a personal basis.

Friedrich Engels

"An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory." -- Freidrich Engels

Not exactly true. Effective action must be based on sound theory. But it is also true that the time comes to stop talking and start doing.

Samuel Johnson

"What we hope ever to do with ease we may learn first to do with diligence." -- Samuel Johnson

In more contemporary English would say in fact that we must first learn to do it with diligence.

Rebecca West, author and journalist

If there is a God, I don't think He would demand that anyone bow down or stand up to Him. -Rebecca West, author and journalist (1892-1983)

God doesn't demand that anyone bow down to him, but rather that is the natural response of someone who recognizes him for who he is and what he does. As far as standing up to him, I'm not sure whether she meant stand to show honor or to confront in opposition. If the former, showing reverence is proper; if the latter, that is surely not something God would demand, and would furthermore be a grave mistake on anyone's part, as Satan could testify.

Michel de Montaigne, essayist (1533-1592)

I speak the truth not so much as I would, but as much as I dare, and I dare a little more as I grow older. -Michel de Montaigne, essayist (1533-1592)

This quote reminds me that in western democracies it is much easier to be brave about speaking the truth than in many other times and places. May it remain so.