“This capacity to be fully engaged in the moment yet simultaneously aware of its historic or cultural context was a special trait…”

Electra Slonimsky Yourke’s “Foreword” in Nicolas Slonimsky Perfect Pitch

In my latest National Post column I ask on what scientific principle man-made global warming will supposedly cause every cute or useful species to go into terminal decline while everything loathsome flourishes.

“The beneficial effect of State intervention, especially in the form of legislation, is direct, immediate, and, so to speak, visible, whilst its evil effects are gradual and indirect, and lie out of sight.... Nor… do most people keep in mind that State inspectors may be incompetent, careless, or even occasionally corrupt… Hence the majority of mankind must almost of necessity look with undue favour upon governmental intervention. This natural bias can be counteracted only by the existence, in a given society, as in England between 1830 and 1860, of a presumption or prejudice in favour of individual liberty—that is, of laissez faire. The mere decline, therefore, of faith in self-help… is of itself sufficient to account for the growth of legislation tending towards socialism.”

Albert Venn Dicey Law & Public Opinion

“The greatest of all Chesterton’s gifts was his charity, and he carried it to a very high point; for he suffered fools gladly."

Fulton J. Sheed in “G.K. Chesterton,” in Sidelights on the Catholic Revival, quoted by James V. Schall in Gilbert! magazine Vol. 7 #2 (Oct.-Nov. 2003)

“For success, attitude is equally as important as ability.”

Harry F. Banks (emailed by a friend)