society
“Peace, n. In international affairs, a period of cheating between two periods of fighting.”
“Patriotism, n. Combustible rubbish ready to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his name.”
“Patriot, n. One to whom the interests of a part seem superior to those of the whole.”
“Elector, n. One who enjoys the sacred privilege of voting for the man of another man’s choice.”
“Controversy, n. A battle in which spittle or ink replaces the injurious cannon-ball and the inconsiderate bayonet.”
“Congratulation, n. The civility of envy.”
“Congress, n. A body of men who meet to repeal laws.”
“Conservative, n. A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal, who wishes to replace them with others.”
“Compromise, n. Such an adjustment of conflicting interests as gives each adversary the satisfaction of thinking he has got what he ought not to have.”
“Boundary, n. In political geography, an imaginary line between two nations, separating the imaginary rights of one from the imaginary rights of the other.”
“Bore, n. A person who talks when you wish him to listen.”
“Prisons are built with stones of Law, brothels with bricks of Religion.”
“Shame is Pride’s cloak.”
“The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.”
“We don't have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change.”
“Times have changed since the Good Book was written.”
“The company, then, were feasting in silence, as though some one in authority had commanded them to do so.”
“I would feel more optimistic about a bright future if I lived in a country I could be proud of — but I love it just the same.”
“The city is like poetry; it compresses all life, all races and breeds, into a small island and adds music and the accompaniment of internal engines.”
“A New York divorce is in itself a diploma of virtue.”