“Nine-tenths of the activities of a modern Government are harmful; therefore the worse they are performed, the better.”
The Problem of China (1922), Ch. XII: The Chinese Character
1920s
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Bertrand Russell562
logician, one of the first analytic philosophers and politi… 1872–1970Related quotes
Randall Jarrell (1914–1965) poet, critic, novelist, essayist
As quoted in Peter's Quotations: Ideas for Our Times (1993) by Laurence J. Peter, p. 391
General sources
“Nine-tenths of wisdom is being wise in time.”
Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American politician, 26th president of the United States
T. E. Lawrence (1888–1935) British archaeologist, military officer, and diplomat
The Evolution of A Revolt (1920)
Context: Nine-tenths of tactics are certain, and taught in books: but the irrational tenth is like the kingfisher flashing across the pool, and that is the test of generals. It can only be ensured by instinct, sharpened by thought practicing the stroke so often that at the crisis it is as natural as a reflex.
“In the last analysis, Russia will do nine-tenths of the job of defeating Germany.”
Ernest King (1878–1956) United States Navy admiral, Chief of Naval Operations
Prediction made by King when speaking to reporters in Alexandria, Virginia on 30 November 1942. As quoted by Thomas B. Buell in his book Master of Sea Power: A Biography of Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King (1980), p. 265
1940s
John Maynard Keynes book The Economic Consequences of the Peace
Source: The Economic Consequences of the Peace (1919), Chapter II, Section III, p. 20
“Nine-tenths of wisdom is appreciation. Go find somebody's hand and squeeze it, while there's time.”
Dale Dauten (1950) American writer
Cited in: Colleen Zuck etal. (2002) Daily Word for Families, p. 167
Thomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay (1800–1859) British historian and Whig politician
"Lord Bacon", (1837) in Essays 2:183
Attributed
David Lloyd George (1863–1945) Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Remark to Lucy Masterman (early 1909), quoted in Lucy Masterman, C. F. G. Masterman (Nicholson and Watson, 1939), p. 150.
Chancellor of the Exchequer