Tag Archives: Athenian

First Principles: Passion Never Fails to Wrest the Scepter From Reason

“In all very numerous assemblies, of whatever character composed, passion never fails to wrest the sceptre from reason.” – James Madison (1788)

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In the Tragedy of Wisdom

In the Tragedy of Wisdomby Michael DoyleAs we sit writing for an audienceAimed as it is to somehow pleaseThe words of Shakespeare and SophoclesShine in all of their brillianceOne wrote for the strong, just kingThe other in the promise of … Continue reading

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First Principles: Passion Never Fails To Wrest the Sceptre From Reason

“In all very numerous assemblies, of whatever character composed, passion never fails to wrest the sceptre from reason. … Had every Athenian citizen been a Socrates, every Athenian assembly would still have been a mob.” – Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist … Continue reading

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