Distortions of the past can be as insidious as forgetting the past. Without true memory—a true historical consciousness—we will, indeed, perish.

The “europeanization” of American politics, far from a reason to rejoice, should be the occasion for wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Simply being good in order to do good is not enough. That is true. But simply being skilled—to have what Machiavelli calls virtú (as opposed to virtue)—in order to do good is also not enough.