The smartest thing I’ve read recently

(From Random Nuclear Strikes)

The 10 Commandments of former Sen. Harry P. Cain:

1. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
2. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
3. You cannot help small men by tearing big men down.
4. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
5. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
6. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
7. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
8. You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
9. You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man’s initiative.
10. You cannot really help men by having the government tax them to do for them what they can and should do for themselves.

Wisdom, distilled.