Arthur Ponsonby, 1st Baron Ponsonby of Shulbrede quotes

“When war is declared, truth is the first casualty”
-- Arthur Ponsonby, 1st Baron Ponsonby of Shulbrede

Source : "Falsehood in Wartime". Book by Arthur Ponsonby, 1st Baron Ponsonby of Shulbrede, 1928.

#War Quotes #Anarchy Quotes #Firsts Quotes

“I do not desire to give myself any fresh political label. Though the formation of the Union of Democratic Control it has been possible for me to work in close co-operation with several of your leaders and this joint effort on the part of the Labour members and radicals is having I think a very beneficial effect. I do not desire to alienate myself from any of my former political associates but rather to endeavour to urge them along the same path which I myself am treading.”
-- Arthur Ponsonby, 1st Baron Ponsonby of Shulbrede

Source : Letter to Herbert Bryan, May 19, 1916.

#Thinking Quotes #Giving Quotes #Political Quotes

“Resolutions expressing Parliamentary approval of every Treaty before ratification would be a very cumbersome form of procedure and would burden the House with a lot of unnecessary business. The absence of disapproval may be accepted as sanction, and publicity and opportunity for discussion and criticism are the really material and valuable elements which henceforth will be introduced.”
-- Arthur Ponsonby, 1st Baron Ponsonby of Shulbrede

Source : Statement, April 1, 1924.

#Opportunity Quotes #House Quotes #Criticism Quotes

“To be nonviolent to human beings and to be a killer or enemy of the poor animals is Satan's philosophy. In this age there is always enmity against poor animals, and therefore the poor creatures are always anxious. The reaction of the poor animals is being forced on human society, and therefore there is always strain of cold or hot war between men, individually, collectively or nationally.”

“Father was an atheist; he had even joined the Skeleton Army - a club of men who went about in masks or black faces, with ribald placards and a brass band, to make war upon the Salvation Army.”

“War is not an accident. It is the logical outcome of a certain way of life.”

“No war is inevitable until it breaks out.”

“This book has been a catalogue of mistakes by politicians, moral and practical disasters which led to wars, enslavement and wretchedness on a scale which no previous age could have dreaded or dreamed of.”

“I do not think we will see a stateless society in my lifetime. But I am sure we will not see a state that conforms to the minarchists' ideals. The closer we get, the better, but I see no reason not to aspire for the best government as Thoreau imagined it: none at all. It's certainly more consistently idealistic than what the minarchists imagine, and yet it's at least possible, whereas the existence of a lasting, minimal state is a hopeless fantasy.”

“If the individual has a right to govern himself, all external government is tyranny. Hence the necessity of abolishing the State.”

Source : Benjamin Ricketson Tucker (1972). “State Socialism and Anarchism and Other Essays”, Ralph Myles Pub

“The main question ... is not what motive inspired the law, but what it will be possible for men of bad motive to do with the law ...”

“An Anarchist is anyone who denies the necessity and legitimacy of government; the question of his methods of attacking it is foreign to the definition.”

“First Conjuration Addressed to Emperor Lucifer. Emperor Lucifer, Master and Prince of Rebellious Spirits, I adjure thee to leave thine abode, in what-ever quarter of the world it may be situated and come hither to communicate with me.”