William James Quote

"The first thing to learn in intercourse with others is non-interference with their own particular ways of being happy, provided those ways do not assume to interfere by violence with ours."

by:	William James (1842-1910) American philosopher, psychologist, 'The father of modern Psychology'
Source:	William James. Talks to Students. 1899 "What Makes a Life Significant?"
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Categories:	Civil Rights, Freedom, Individual Rights, Liberty, Society, Tolerance, Violence
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-- Mike, Norwalk
We used to call that common decency. Seems to have dried up in the new progressive "socialist" America.  -- J Carlton, Calgary      1
Perfect! As an Atheist, vegetarian, and Gay activist I hold this to be true. America is slipping into another dark age - when will we learn how much hurt and suffering we are responsible for? When will we learn to live in the moment and stop living in the past and the future - LIFE is now, and your memories prove it. The lesson in the intercourse with others is indeed non-interference with their happiness. It reminds me of the last frame in the film "Elvira Madigan" Last night at the Oscars was an abomination to the happiness we all seek - there were moments of love and compassion but they were over shadowed by our love of WAR. P.s. If you think America is socialist you need to live in Europe for a while - America is FASCIST (soft) and with the likes of Palin, Beck, Limbaugh, it will soon become very hard.  -- RBESRQ      2
This is, to me, a Libertarian quote meaning to "Live and let Live" and don't bother others. As a Libertarian, I agree with it.  -- jim k, Austin      1
True, you respect my rights I'll respect your rights. It's that simple and if we follow it up by doing no harm to each other we have created heaven on earth by living peacefully with each other.  -- Anon      1
RBESRQ, you mention Palin, Beck, and Rush-I believe you meant Pelosi, Reed, and Obama who are trying for force their healthcare down our throats.  -- cal, lewisville, tx      1
This is the primary lesson needed for do-gooders everywhere whether religious, socialist, idealist, humanitarian or otherwise.  -- E Archer, NYC      1
Robert, fascism is a facet of socialism, the same as is communism. The difference between the 2 is that communism owns all industry, individuals, etc. out right in its own name while, in fascism, the government owns everything through its corporations - individuals being mere industrial units / commercial alter egos. There is no individual allodium in either case - no government anywhere on earth at the present represents the individual sovereign. You're right about this being a fascist state. The likes of Palin, Beck, etc. are soldiers in the neo-con version of fascism while at the present, President Obomunist Goodwrench, his czars and clown stars (Reid, Pelosi, etc.) are in the drivers seat heading for their interpreted own fascism of choice. The world bankers appear to like fascism as their socialism of choice and, while one fascist form of socialism doesn't fit all, the bankers will content themselves with what ever version of fascism / socialism fits their control best. Constitutional non-interference that supported individual prosperity and the pursuit of happiness exists no more. Sort of an interesting little diddly http://www.thinkbigworksmall.com/mypage/archive/1/32275  -- Mike, Norwalk      2
Great quote, too bad so many really don't get it... RBESRQ has it right, cal doesn't seem to understand that the problems with the health care bill as it sits now was too many attempts to make it acceptable to the "just say no" right. It would indeed be a much better bill if it had simply made Medicare available for ALL citizens.  -- Anonymous, Reston, VA, US
Obviously cal you have a lot coming to you under the future facist state of America. Please do your home work re; socialism - the last thing Hitler and Mao Tse Tung can be called is socialist they were far more in tune with right wing extremism. Starlin too was a megalomaniac, autocratic, and much more. The last thing on his mind was helping the poor, the suffering, and the destitute. He was responsible for the death of over 20 million Russians. He used the left-wing to catapult him into power much like what Obama has done. Now Marxism is a different story he had a brilliant mind you should try reading some of his works.  -- RBESRQ
The American Patriot revival is in Full Swing, the Awakening is a global event. WWG1WGA Saad Al Melik, Saad Al Sund, the return to commonsense and Liberty, MAGA for the Patriots sake.   -- Ronw13, OR
Authoritarianism leads to totalitarianism, in many forms, not the least of which includes communism, socialism, fascism, monarchy, oligarchy, theocracy.  All these forms of statism consolidate power and rule the people.  The fascists are only to the right of the communists.  Socialists are admittedly thieves with a Robin Hood complex — acting as high and mighty as the religionists they abhor.  Robert, I do not want your form of authoritarianism — Marxism is just another power grab and is only suitable for social workers, psychiatrists, academics, politicos, bureaucrats and all who live off the state.  The producers become slaves, the workers beasts of burden.  Communist China is the proud embodiment of Marxism.  There is not a socialist alive that wants to admit that socialist governments around the world have murdered millions of political dissenters.  NEVER has that happened in America, but you can believe it could if Marxist theology is embraced in the US.  -- E Archer, NYC
Robert, you are going to have to give us your very own definition of socialism. From at least the 14th century, socialism has maintained virtually the same meaning with differing applications (communism, fascism, etc. for example) and theocratic severity / intensity.  -- Mike, Norwalk

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