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Editor's Introduction To:
The Whirligig Of Time

Vernor Vinge

Government is miracle; but when the miracle goes wrong, what can be done? Government, Ben Franklin said, is like fire: a dangerous servant and a fearful master.

Still: one must, finally, rule through opinion.

Ortega y Gasset said it well:

"Even the man who attempts to rule through janissaries depends on their opinion and the opinion the rest of the inhabitants have of them."

"But the truth is, there is no ruling with janissaries. As Talleyrand said to Napoleon, 'You can do anything with bayonets, Sire, except sit on them.' Rule is not so much a matter of an iron hand, but a firm seat."

Orders are carried out because someone wants to carry them out. No matter how many are enslaved, some will remain free; and opportunity eventually comes to all.

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Framed