The beneficial effect of state intervention, especially in the form of legislation, is direct, immediate, and so to speak, visible, while its evil effects are gradual and indirect and lay out of sight ... Hence the majority of mankind must almost of necessity look with undue favor upon governmental intervention.
Interpretation
State intervention in society has clear immediate benefits, but its negative consequences are often subtle and less visible.
The quote by A. V. Dicey reflects on how the effects of governmental intervention can create a bias in favor of such measures. While the positive impacts are readily observable and can be felt immediately, the contrary effects—often negative—tend to be slow-moving and obscure, leading people to overlook the potential drawbacks of increased government involvement in various societal aspects.
In practice
In a discussion about healthcare reforms, this quote could illustrate the tension between immediate benefits and long-term consequences.
"Let there be no inscription upon my tomb. Let no man write my epitaph. No man can write my epitaph. I am here ready to die. I am not allowed to vindicate my character; and when I am prevented from vindicating myself, let no man dare calumniate me. Let my character and motives repose in obscurity and peace, till other times and other men can do them justice.
The purpose of God is the sovereign cause of all that good that is in man, and of all that external, internal and eternal good that comes to man. Not works past, for men are chosen from everlasting; not works present, for Jacob was loved and chosen before he was born; nor works foreseen, for men were all corrupt in Adam. All a believer's present happiness, and all his future happiness springs from the eternal purpose of God.
Either in conflict with others or in harmony with them, we go through life like a runaway horse, unable to stop.
Feel the delight of walking in the noisy street and being the noise.
As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts.
If we open a quarrel between past and present, we shall find that we have lost the future.
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