What is unusual about Earth is that language, literally, has become alive. It has infested matter. It is replicating and defining and building itself. And it is in us.
Terence MckennaRead
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
What this quote means
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.
Themes
State InterventionGovernmentLegislationBenefitsImpactSociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about healthcare reforms, this quote could illustrate the tension between immediate benefits and long-term consequences.
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