The first clergyman was the first rascal who met the first fool.
In a democracy you cannot stop public access to that art that will most misinform the people. You cannot stop people from being misinformed. But what you can do is to educate the people to the point that they will throw the rascals out.
When a man makes up his mind to become a rascal, he should examine himself closely and see if he isn't better constructed for a fool.
RASCALITY, n. Stupidity militant. The activity of a clouded intellect.
Right here in this heart and home and fountain-head of law--in this great factory where are forged those rules that create good order and compel virtue and honesty in the other communities of the land, rascality achieves its highest perfection. Here rewards are conferred for conniving at dishonesty, but never for exposing it
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, 1835-1910
Self-denial is not a virtue; it is only the effect of prudence on rascality.