"Where the very safety of the country depends upon the resolution to be taken, no consideration of justice or injustice, humanity or cruelty, nor of glory or of shame, should be allowed to prevail. But putting all other considerations aside, the only question should be: What course will save the life and liberty of the country?"
by:
Niccolo Machiavelli
(1469-1527) Italian Statesman and Political Philosopher
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Reader comments about this quote:
Morality & ethics are far more important, and without these the country is meaningless.
 -- Anonymous, Reston, VA US     
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    A pretty serious stand for freedom.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Not bad, here's one in return: "Whenever the majority of men are not deprived of their property or honor, they live contentedly" -- Niccolň Machiavelli, The Prince; Page 79 http://en.wiquo.myegopedia.com/
     -- Gölök Zoltán Leenderdt Franco Buday, Vancouver, GVRD(Paine Cnty), Coastal Lwr Mainland BC(State of Neo Sumer), U.S. of Eh!     
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    You cannot preserve freedom, morals or ethics if you are dead. Sometimes when you fight a bastard you must be a bastard, that is the hell of war. The atom bomb may seem arbitrarily immoral, but both in the long and short term it was best for both sides.
     -- helorat, Milton     
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    Better in the case of national interest to apologize after acting decisively in the national interest. Especially in the case of a superpower. I may not personally like some of the choices, but without all the facts I am not qualify to make those choices. Nor do I feel compelled to assume the shame of generations past. The white man pushed the red man aside in settling the USA. Was that moral? In the light of today , no. Was it in the overall national interest? Yes, unequivocally. We can discuss it today only because it was done. Would we do it again today? I think we would find a way to make it palatable to the people, if it were in the national interest. Remember we are talking about the actions of NATIONS, not individuals.
     -- Eric Engstrom, Wichita, KS     
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    Morality from one (in government) who forces his righteousness (laws) on others does not preserve the liberty of the country.
     -- Joe, Rochester, Mi     
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    In other words, the constitution is not a suicide pact.
     -- Anonymous     
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    Demonic enslavement by tyranny's induced ignorance (having no consideration of justice or injustice, no cognition of life's nobility, no understanding of liberty, no love of truth and no recognition of "the laws of nature and of nature's God) is the foundation of cruelty, shame and immorality. Putting all other considerations aside, the occupying statist theocracy infesting this land, with its compelled compliance, victimless crimes, government licenses, foundation of lies and larceny with impunity (2nd plank of the communist manifesto, Social Security, funny money, police state confiscations, etc.) has eliminated the natural peace, prosperity and safety that is a result / effect of sentient beings that are love, truth and knowledge, and who abide nature's law.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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