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| From 1984 |
Beware the wisdom of the
Ages—likewise the wisdom
Of the sages. For a brief
Scan in any assemblage
Of famous quotations will
Give you guidance either
Way should your eyes fall
On odd or even numbered
Pages. “One can never
Have too many friends” or
“He is friend to none who
Is friend of all.” Even the
Same wit will call it both
Ways: La Rochefoucauld
On motives: “We would
Often be ashamed of our
Finest actions if the world
Understood all the motives
Which produced them,”
Contrasted with “There are
Countless actions which
Appear ridiculous, whose
Hidden motives are very
Wise and weighty.” Such
Golden nuggets have a history
Of treachery and deceit. How
Then do we weigh competitors
Of explanation? Pragmatist of
The easiest answers, I’ll go with
That which works for me and
Side with others gilded through
Long usage, e.g., free will:
Samuel Johnson—“All theory
Is against the freedom of the
Will; all experience for it.”
Be thou then slow to embrace
Clever sayings—they oft
Summarize mendacity as
Thinly veiled Salome’s dance
Seduced Herod to undoing
Of his intent. I offer for your
Consideration and review
Some chestnuts of campaign
Cant to disembowel at your
Leisure: Hillary Clinton:
"Everyday Americans need a
Champion. I want to be that
Champion.” I’m not with her.
Ben Carson: "Heal. Inspire.
Revive.” Like “Wake Up,
Dr. Carson, you’re operating”?
Carly Fiorina: "New Possibilities.
Real Leadership." Not like
That flub at Hewlett-Packard.
Ted Cruz: "Reigniting the
Promise of America." Sounds
Too much like lighting a fuse.
Bernie Sanders: "A political
Revolution is coming.” When?
Where? Marco Rubio:
"A New American Century.”
Forget it, Marco. Didn’t like
The last one. Rand Paul:
“Defeat The Washington
Machine. Unleash The
American Dream.” Sorry,
Rand. So little works there
Now. Mike Huckabee:
"From Hope To Higher
Ground.” Will come in
Handy when coastal cities
Disappear under rising oceans.
Latest Bush relative: “Jeb!”
Huh? Who?
c. J.S.Manista, 2016
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