I also always enjoyed : http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Cicero Now granted "Cicero" has become a bit of a catchall like "Publius" was in the time of America's founding, generally when a writer chooses a historical figures name, it is meant to clue the reader into what sort of writing it shall be. For example a modern quotation that has as it's writer Teddy Bear or Ronaldus Maximus would clue the reader in to the content being either from a liberal or conservative perspective.
I disagree that a nation can survive its fools. For short periods of time yes but if fools are allowed to run things for too long a period there mistakes can cause a nation great harm
I liked Aleksander Solzehnitsyn, his thoughts in the mid to late 70's until the fall of the Soviet describe America and the West imho:
And yet, when this slumbering material loving beast is awakened, just who is it that survives? The ruskies forget one major thing; putting EVERYONE on the payroll is also a beast that requires feeding and once its hooks are set the masses will never turn away from the feeding trough. Don't take me wrong, I'm saddened by our movement in that direction, yet encouraged by all of those who turned out on 9/12. How about you?
