QOTD, 06/15/2009

Two quotes, actually.

First, some advice for all of us, including (especially) our elected representatives. (Who would do well to remember that we elected them, and they work for us.)

Never spend your money before you have it.
Thomas Jefferson

And some advice for us all, but especially for those in congress pondering spending a lot of money we don't have, for acts which will be of questionable benefit:

Never do today what you can put off till tomorrow. Delay may give clearer light as to what is best to be done.
Aaron Burr

Granted that Mr. Burr should have followed his own advice.

While we're at it, here's one that actually showed up a couple days ago:

The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.

William H. Borah

Note that I cannot find a record anywhere of a "William H. Borah." There was a "William E. Borah" in congress, who is most (in)famous for his remark that WWII could have been averted if he had just been able to talk to Hitler.