NationStates Jolt Archive

"Perhaps the essence of the Liberal outlook could be summed up in a new decalogue, not intended to replace the old one but only to supplement it.

The Ten Commandments that, as a teacher, I should wish to promulgate, might be set forth as follows:

1. Do not feel absolutely certain of anything.
2. Do not think it worth while to proceed by concealing evidence, for the evidence is sure to come to light.
3. Never try to discourage thinking for you are sure to succeed.
4. When you meet with opposition, even if it should be from your husband or your children, endeavor to overcome it by argument and not by authority, for a victory dependent upon authority is unreal and illusory.
5. Have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always contrary authorities to be found.
6. Do not use power to suppress opinions you think pernicious, for if you do the opinions will suppress you.
7. Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.
8. Find more pleasure in intelligent dissent that in passive agreement, for, if you value intelligence as you should, the former implies a deeper agreement than the latter.
9. Be scrupulously truthful, even if the truth is inconvenient, for it is more inconvenient when you try to conceal it.
10. Do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise, for only a fool will think that it is happiness."

-- The Autobiography of Bertrand Russell, 1944-1969, pp. 71-2

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I got this from this collection of "Liberal friendly quotes":
http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/Quotes-science.htm

I have no comment on these, I just liked them and thought I would share.

its a bit vague and abstract wouldnt you say....

its a bit vague and abstract wouldnt you say....

Abstract yes, vague no.

its a bit vague and abstract wouldnt you say....Seems perfectly clear to me, and you can note the difference in his later writings when he seemed to take these to heart.

As compared to an earlier work of his, where, paraphrasing...Of the three primary religions in this world, Christianity, Judaism, and Communism, none of the three can agree with the others, thus they must all be wrong.From page (I believe) six of his book Why I am not a Christian. I laughed long and hard at that one, and then quit reading his work until being a math major forced me to.

Or more accurately

Actually you really only need two for liberals:

1. blame it on someone else
2. welfare solves all

but I guess people could stretch that out to 10.

Oh, so fark.com

Or more accurately

Actually you really only need two for liberals:

1. blame it on someone else
2. welfare solves all

but I guess people could stretch that out to 10.
Russell wasn't american. What you posted would be the prerequisite for being a social democrat a.k.a american liberal.

Or more accurately

Actually you really only need two for liberals:

1. blame it on someone else
2. welfare solves all

but I guess people could stretch that out to 10.

Hah. You obviously have no idea what a liberal is. Please leave your US-distortion of it out of this.

Russell wasn't american. What you posted would be the prerequisite for being a social democrat a.k.a american liberal.

I apologize then.

Some fine guidlines to live by from Russell. Liberalism is not exactly like social democracy BTW, there are some similarities though. I also note some people seem to be confused here about what liberalism is all about.

Bertrand Russell had some really interesting ideas. My favorite quotes from Bertrand Arthur William Russell:

"After ages during which the earth produced harmless trilobites and butterflies, evolution progressed to the point at which it generated Neros, Genghis Khans, and Hitlers. This, however, is a passing nightmare; in time the earth will become again incapable of supporting life, and peace will return."

"No nation was ever so virtuous as each believes itself, and none was ever so wicked as each believes the other. "

"Patriots always talk of dying for their country, and never of killing for their country."

"I do not believe that I am now dreaming, but I cannot prove that I am not."

Points 1 through 8 and 10 are all excellent. I do, however have some doubts about point 9.

9. Be scrupulously truthful, even if the truth is inconvenient, for it is more inconvenient when you try to conceal it.


The question arises as to what to do when the truth is inconvenient for another, not for yourself. If Russell had always told the truth about Wittgenstein, I doubt that Wittgenstein would have the reputation he has today. (For those who don't know, Russell was Wittgenstein's doctoral supervisor).

If your mother decides to buy what you caonsider to be a ridiculous outfit, spends a fortune on it, and after paying turns to you and says "These clothes are just marvellous aren't they?" How do you answer? Truthfully, or diplomaticaly?

If your mother decides to buy what you caonsider to be a ridiculous outfit, spends a fortune on it, and after paying turns to you and says "These clothes are just marvellous aren't they?" How do you answer? Truthfully, or diplomaticaly?

That is easy, by informing her that you don't like the clothes, you can avoid her wasting her money another time. A minor incovenience now can avoid a major inconvenience down the road.