Re: Who Said It? The GOP Presidential Candidates' Choice Words on Science

Bob Casanova <nospam@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

On Wed, 1 Feb 2012 11:03:36 +0100, the following appeared in
talk.origins, posted by nospam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (J. J.
Lodder):

Paul J Gans <gansno@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Josh Miles <no@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=gop-presidential-candidat
es-
science-quotes-quiz

Wow, Rick Santorum is an idiot.

It isn't that. He is, indeed. But the rest of them saw no need
to point out his errors. In so doing they give the impression that
they are of the same mind.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

"Whom the gods wish to destroy, they strike with blindness"

I've always heard that as "Whom the gods would destroy they
first make mad". ("Mad" as "insane" of course; most gods
tended to piss off nearly everyone.)

The 'blindness' form is a traditional European proverb.
An appropriate for t.o. quote is
==
THE ROLLING WHEEL OF FORTUNA—From NEMESIS DIVINA, by Carl von Linné
(Linnaeus):
In the greatest confusion the greatest order. Like in the realm of
Nature. No one forges his own fortune. Not even the devil could dare to
assert the contrary. When misfortune comes, the whole nature helps
along, since the will of God must be obeyed. All become the foes of the
unfortunate, even the dogs. All help to push the car of misfortune. Then
neither heaven nor earth can help. Pride came first, turned everyone
into enemies (...) God strikes with blindness whom He wishes to destroy.
No wisdom, no understanding can help against the Lord. Proverbs, XXI,
30. When fortune is the grace of God, then a hundred hands obstruct the
road of misfortune ... (Translated by Carlos Parada from Carl von Linné
i urval av Björn Julén, Aldus klassiker, Stockholm 1962)
===

The Gods (or Fortune) don't destroy directly.
The victim destroys himself, by being blind to reality.
Which is of course a form of madness.

Be very afraid indeed,

Jan

.

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