Not the Usual Scoundrels

While reading a book about Tom Paine's Rights of Man, I discovered that Samuel Johnson's oft-repeated quip, "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel," isn't as progressive as it sounds. I guess back then, people who supported democratic and radical causes in England were known as 'Patriots' and it is only to this group that Johnson was directing his barb.

Just a little tid-bit that might come in handy the next time you need to out know-it-all a smarty-pants at a dinner party.