Arun

“All political philosophy, Spinoza thins, must grow out of a distinction between the natural and the moral order...without law or social organization...might and right were one...The "rights" of states are now what the "rights" of individuals used to be (and still often are), that is, they are mights...among men, as mutual need begets mutual aid...passes into a moral order of rights. (Chapter on Spinoza, p.191/543)”
― Will Durant, The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the World's Greatest Philosophers

“When Rousseau sent to Voltaire his Discourse on the Origin of Inequality, with its arguments against civilization...Voltaire replied: "I have received, sir, you new book against the human species, and I thank you for it... No one has ever been so witty as you are in trying to turn us into brutes; to read your book makes one long to go on all fours. As, however it is now some sixty years since I gave up the practice, I feel that it is unfortunately impossible for me to resume it." (Chapter on Voltaire, p.247/543)”
― Will Durant, The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the World's Greatest Philosophers

“From whatever angle we approach our eternal political problem we monotonously reach the same conclusion: that the community should determine the ends to be pursued, but that only experts should select and apply the means; that choice should be democratically spread, but that office should be rigidly reserved for the equipped and winnowed best. (Chapter on Aristotle p.89/543)”
― Will Durant, The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the World's Greatest Philosophers

“Day by day beneath the opulence of this city Wang Lung lived in the foundations of poverty upon which it was laid.”
― Pearl S. Buck, The Good Earth[graphic novel]