Maury Maverick, attorney and congressman

Democracy, to me, is liberty plus economic security. -Maury Maverick, attorney and congressman (1895-1954)

This seems to me a very odd formulation. Economic security is a good thing no doubt, and severe economic insecurity has historically been a danger to democracy, but to include it in the definition of democracy can confuse discussion of policy. It is possible to have democracy without economic security and it is possible to have economic security without democracy. The latter choice is sometimes a serious temptation, which should be resisted.

Herbert J. Muller, educator, historian, and author

The doctrine of the material efficacy of prayer reduces the Creator to a cosmic bellhop of a not very bright or reliable kind. -Herbert J. Muller, educator, historian, and author (1905-1980)

I've never heard of the "doctrine of the material efficacy of prayer," but I get the gist of his opinion. Like many of God's detractors, he clearly hadn't studied his subject. Many people of great intelligence have studied prayer and written profoundly about it, but I don't think Muller ever read any of them. Many, it is true, though not all, wrote before Muller was born, which probably disqualified them in his mind.

Jules Renard, writer

I don't know if God exists, but it would be better for His reputation if he didn't. -Jules Renard, writer (1864-1910)
I think M. Renard was trying to be clever and profound, but he merely succeeded in being cute.

William James, psychologist and philosopher

Whenever two people meet, there are really six people present. There is each man as he sees himself, each man as the other person sees him, and each man as he really is. -William James, psychologist and philosopher (1842-1910)

I believe that this is true. Now, what should we draw from it? How should it affect our behavior? I wonder what James had to say about it.

Laurence J. Peter, educator and author

The man who is always waving the flag usually waives what it stands for. -Laurence J. Peter, educator and author (1919-1990)
 
A clever aphorism, but I object to the accusation that outspoken patriots always disregard the true values of the country. Patriots are not always hypocrites.

George Bernard Shaw

"A perpetual holiday is a good working definition of hell." – George Bernard Shaw

I have to say that I don't get it! To me, a holiday means more social time, more time to be with loved ones, which quite literally sounds like heaven to me. Is this just Shaw demonstrating that he is a misanthropist?

Nicolas de Chamfort, writer (1741-1794)

Conscience is a dog that does not stop us from passing but that we cannot prevent from barking. -Nicolas de Chamfort, writer (1741-1794)

A wonderful metaphor, and isn't it a great thing that the dog barks! It keeps us out of a lot of trouble.