Definition Of Conservatism

Has anyone ever asked you, "What is a conservative?" Or, "What does a conservative believe?" If you have struggled to answer those questions, here is conservatism in a nutshell provided by William Boetcker, a mid-20th century American minister. The list is titled "The Ten Cannots", a play on "The Ten Commandments."

• You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
• You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
• You cannot help little men by tearing down big men.
• You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
• You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
• You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money.
• You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
• You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
• You cannot build character and courage by destroying men's initiative and independence.
• And you cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves.