Quote of the Day: Greed, Political and Otherwise

 

“It is amazing how many of the intelligentsia call it ‘greed’ to want to keep what you have earned, but not greed to want to take away what somebody else has earned, and let politicians use it to buy votes.” – Thomas Sowell

If we substituted Democrat presidential candidate for intelligentsia we would have a perfect one-sentence encapsulation of both sets of Presidential debates last week. Yet Sowell anticipated their positions by at least 20 and possibly 30 years with this statement.

Published in Politics
This post was promoted to the Main Feed by a Ricochet Editor at the recommendation of Ricochet members. Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.

There are 15 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. Songwriter Inactive
    Songwriter
    @user_19450

    Sowell’s clarity of thought is a beacon for us all. If only he was required reading for our Congress.

    • #1
  2. Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo… Coolidge
    Gumby Mark (R-Meth Lab of Demo…
    @GumbyMark

    In 2016 I thought Bernie Sanders the greediest man in American history.  He wanted trillions of dollars earned by others to be given to him so he could buy votes that would give him power.  In 2020 most of the Democratic candidates seem to be vying to take Bernie’s title away.

    • #2
  3. Vectorman Inactive
    Vectorman
    @Vectorman

    Songwriter (View Comment):
    Sowell’s clarity of thought is a beacon for us all. If only he was required reading for our Congress.

    I have stated before that I disagreed with only one column of Dr. Sowell’s vast output, because I had special knowledge of the subject.


    The Quote of the Day series is the easiest way to start a fun conversation on Ricochet. We have many days available on the July Signup Sheet, including 2 next week. We even include tips for finding great quotes, so choose your favorite quote and sign up today!

    • #3
  4. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    Seawriter: Yet Sowell anticipated their positions by at least 20 and possibly 30 years with this statement.

    If one understands human nature, it’s easy to be prescient. Because humans do the same things over and over, one only need study history.

    • #4
  5. Saint Augustine Member
    Saint Augustine
    @SaintAugustine

    Arahant (View Comment):

    Seawriter: Yet Sowell anticipated their positions by at least 20 and possibly 30 years with this statement.

    If one understands human nature, it’s easy to be prescient. Because humans do the same things over and over, one only need study history.

    Cicero had his response to Peter Singer ready more than 2,000 years early.

    • #5
  6. Richard Fulmer Inactive
    Richard Fulmer
    @RichardFulmer

    Saint Augustine (View Comment):

    Arahant (View Comment):

    Seawriter: Yet Sowell anticipated their positions by at least 20 and possibly 30 years with this statement.

    If one understands human nature, it’s easy to be prescient. Because humans do the same things over and over, one only need study history.

    Cicero had his response to Peter Singer ready more than 2,000 years early.

    And that response was?

    • #6
  7. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    Richard Fulmer (View Comment):

    Saint Augustine (View Comment):

    Arahant (View Comment):

    Seawriter: Yet Sowell anticipated their positions by at least 20 and possibly 30 years with this statement.

    If one understands human nature, it’s easy to be prescient. Because humans do the same things over and over, one only need study history.

    Cicero had his response to Peter Singer ready more than 2,000 years early.

    And that response was?

    I think a modern English translation approximates “Sod off, swampy.”

    • #7
  8. Saint Augustine Member
    Saint Augustine
    @SaintAugustine

    Richard Fulmer (View Comment):

    Saint Augustine (View Comment):

    Arahant (View Comment):

    Seawriter: Yet Sowell anticipated their positions by at least 20 and possibly 30 years with this statement.

    If one understands human nature, it’s easy to be prescient. Because humans do the same things over and over, one only need study history.

    Cicero had his response to Peter Singer ready more than 2,000 years early.

    And that response was?

    • #8
  9. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Don’t forget: If June is Pride Month, then July should be Greed month. Followed by:

     

    • August: Lust Month
    • September: Envy Month
    • October: Gluttony Month
    • September: Wrath Month
    • October: Sloth Month

     

     

    • #9
  10. Saint Augustine Member
    Saint Augustine
    @SaintAugustine

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Don’t forget: If June is Pride Month, then July should be Greed month. Followed by:

     

    • August: Lust Month
    • September: Envy Month
    • October: Gluttony Month
    • September: Wrath Month
    • October: Sloth Month

     

     

    A primer:

    • #10
  11. Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw Member
    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw
    @MattBalzer

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Don’t forget: If June is Pride Month, then July should be Greed month. Followed by:

     

    • August: Lust Month
    • September: Envy Month
    • October: Gluttony Month
    • September: Wrath Month
    • October: Sloth Month

    August is usually the hottest month, so I’d prefer to be lazy when I don’t want to do anything anyway.

     

     

    • #11
  12. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Matt Balzer, Imperialist Claw (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Don’t forget: If June is Pride Month, then July should be Greed month. Followed by:

     

    • August: Lust Month
    • September: Envy Month
    • October: Gluttony Month
    • September: Wrath Month
    • October: Sloth Month

    August is usually the hottest month, so I’d prefer to be lazy when I don’t want to do anything anyway.

    You’ve got a point there. Why make it more difficult for ourselves? Who wants to be slothful in September or October?

     

    • #12
  13. Shauna Hunt Inactive
    Shauna Hunt
    @ShaunaHunt

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Don’t forget: If June is Pride Month, then July should be Greed month. Followed by:

     

    • August: Lust Month
    • September: Envy Month
    • October: Gluttony Month
    • September: Wrath Month
    • October: Sloth Month

     

     

    My daughter likes Sloth Month. Although, I would make August Sloth Month, too.

    • #13
  14. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    Isn’t December greed month?

    • #14
  15. Morley Stevenson Member
    Morley Stevenson
    @MorleyStevenson

    Thomas Sowell is the wisest man in America.

    • #15
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.