The Lion's roar

Fifty years ago today, Winston Churchill, sometimes referred to as the "Lion of Britain" for the power of his oratory during the darkness of World War II, became only the second Honorary Citizen of the United States.

To mark the half-centennial, a few of his lesser-known choice gems seem to be in order:

Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.

The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.

Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.

You can always count on Americans to do the right thing -- after they've tried everything else.

We are masters of the unsaid words, but slaves of those we let slip out.

Those who can win a war well can rarely make a good peace and those who could make a good peace would never have won the war.

We are stripped bare by the curse of plenty. 

The power of man has grown in every sphere, except over himself.