January 16, 2009

Ancient wisdom is almost always better than what people come up with today. Consider that it became ancient because it was wise.

As we listen to talk of bailouts and endless debt, think on these thoughts from Thomas Jefferson:

“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”

Here’s another: “It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.”

And another: “I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”

And one more: “My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.”

Jefferson is considered by the Democratic Party to have been the first democrat. Today’s Democrats (and Republicans) would do well to attend to his ancient wisdom.

Cal Thomas is a syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.