The planet Earth, though not threatened with destruction by man-made global warming, is by no means indestructible. There are many unpredictable events within our solar system, and still more outside it, that could make Earth uninhabitable by humans. Paul Johnson destructionearthevent share on social
Euphemism is a human device to conceal the horrors of reality. Paul Johnson concealdeviceeuphemism Change image and share on social
The most intimidating world leader was Lyndon Johnson, who became U.S. President when John Kennedy was assassinated. He exulted in this power and liked to inspire fear. Paul Johnson assassinateexultfear Change image and share on social
At some time in their careers, most good historians itch to write a history of the world, endeavor to discover what makes humanity the most destructive and creative of species. Paul Johnson careercreativedestructive Change image and share on social
What strikes the historian surveying anti-Semitism worldwide over more than two millennia is its fundamental irrationality. It seems to make no sense, any more than malaria or meningitis makes sense. Paul Johnson antifundamentalhistorian Change image and share on social
The United States is a concept that works very well, even in bad times. But that's no reason to think its structure can be superimposed with success on any other part of the world, particularly when times are terrible. Paul Johnson badconceptpart share on social
The most evil person I ever met was a toss-up between Pablo Picasso and the publisher-crook Robert Maxwell. Paul Johnson crookevilmaxwell Change image and share on social
Global warming, like Marxism, is a political theory of actions, demanding compliance with its rules. Paul Johnson actioncompliancedemand Change image and share on social
Courage is the essential element in any great public man or woman. Paul Johnson courageelementessential Change image and share on social
Is there any possibility of giving international air travel, which we all need and use and hate, a touch of glamour, or even of reliable, soulless efficiency? I suspect future historians will puzzle over our failure. But by then, of course, we shall be in the age of mass space travel, with its fresh and unimaginable crop of horrors. Paul Johnson ageaircrop share on social