Quote of the Day

Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, as quoted in a Quillette article on urban problems.

The central conservative truth is that it is culture, not politics, that determines the success of a society.

That reminds me of my favorite corollary of this truth: some cultures “work” much better than others. Cultures are not all equally fine and wonderful; some are frankly awful. Others may have considerable charm while producing little economic growth.