In my latest Loonie Politics column I say the reason public officials pivot ataxically from one certainty to another on SARS-CoV-2 (yes, that’s the virus) is that the public won’t accept that the government doesn’t have all the answers.
“In order to please a selfish politician, Lincoln had signed an order transferring certain regiments. Stanton not only refused to carry out Lincoln’s orders but swore that Lincoln was a damn fool for ever signing such orders. What happened? When Lincoln was told what Stanton had said, Lincoln calmly replied: ‘If Stanton said I was a damned fool then I must be, for he is nearly always right. I’ll just step over and see for myself.’ Lincoln did go to see Stanton. Stanton convinced him that the order was wrong, and Lincoln withdrew it. ”
Dale Carnegie How to Stop Worrying and Start Living
“A paranoid is someone who knows a little of what’s going on.”
William S. Burroughs (quoted for instance at https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/14116-a-paranoid-is-someone-who-knows-a-little-of-what-s)
“A man is known by the silence he keeps.”
Oliver Herford, quoted as “Thought du jour” in “Social Studies” in Globe & Mail June 24, 2005
“The fundamental question to be asked about any theological statement is, ‘What is the evidence that makes you think this might be true?’”
Author’s Introduction to John Polkinghorne The Faith of a Physicist
According to Schopenhauer “It is this removal of the personal equation which leaves the genius so maladapted in the world of will-full, practical, personal activity. By seeing so far he does not see what is near; he is imprudent and ‘queer’; and while his vision is hitched to a star he falls into a well.”
Will Durant The Story of Philosophy [paraphrasing not quoting]
“I think you’re the opposite of a paranoid. I think you go around with the insane delusion that people like you.”
Woody Allen, quoted as “Thought du jour” in Globe & Mail June 2, 2003 [and yes, we’re all feeling squeamish about Allen now but it’s still a good line].
“To be successful you must accept all challenges that come your way. You can’t just accept the ones you like.”
Mike Gafka, quoted by Jeff Hayden on Inc. online (www.inc.com/jeff-haden/top-350-inspiring-motivational-quotes-to-tweet-and-share.html