A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority.
 Emma Goldman, Anarchism and Other Essays (1910). copy citation

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Author Emma Goldman
Source Anarchism and Other Essays
Topic mercy power
Date 1910
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2162/2162-h/2162-h.htm

Context

“says Thoreau, "is a sort of gaming, like checkers, or backgammon, a playing with right and wrong; its obligation never exceeds that of expediency. Even voting for the right thing is doing nothing for it. A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority." A close examination of the machinery of politics and its achievements will bear out the logic of Thoreau. What does the history of parliamentarism show? Nothing but failure and defeat, not even a single reform to ameliorate the economic and social stress of the people.” source