A youthful mind is seldom totally free from ambition; to curb that, is the first step to contentment, since to diminish expectation is to increase enjoyment. Frances Burney
It is the natural effect of improvement, however, to diminish gradually the real price of almost all manufactures. Adam Smith
One certain effect of war is to diminish freedom of expression. Howard Zinn
Romania and Bulgaria were particularly irresponsible. If they wanted to diminish their chances of joining Europe they could not have found a better way. Jacques Chirac
The most immediate task is to make certain that no state or combination of states gains the capacity to expel the United States from Eurasia or even to diminish significantly its decisive arbitration role. Zbigniew Brzezinski
Government of limited power need not be anemic government. Assurance that rights are secure tends to diminish fear and jealousy of strong government, and by making us feel safe to live under it makes for its better support. Robert H. Jackson