What appears to me as the most common prudence is considered there as insane recklessness.

Frédéric Bastiat
Complete Works, Volume 7, pages 390 to 392 (in French)
Undated

In this letter, Frédéric Bastiat announces the publication of his pamphlets Capital and Rent as well as Peace and Freedom (both published in February 1849) of which I for sure recommend the quotes I extracted in summer 2021.

As often the case in his letters to Bernard Domenger, he brings some light to one or the other politicking action that upset him. One of the reasons for his despair is that they hinder the well functioning of policies through proper decision making processes. This is what is reflected in today’s quote that is nothing less but a glimpse on the radical aspect of Frédéric Bastiat. He was a man of conviction and was ready to defend it. Facing him were politicians who do not, in general, have real convictions and to whom any change appears as a political risk that is therefore necessary to avoid taking if possible. To demand change (rather than proclaim change as politicians do nowadays) thus appears as being reckless.