“It is impossible, if no more than one opinion is uttered, to make choice of the best: a man is forced then to follow whatever advice may have been given him; but if opposite speeches are delivered, then choice can be exercised. In like manner pure gold 

Paul Rand, "It is impossible, if no more than one opinion is uttered, to make choice of the best: a man is forced then to follow whatever advice may have been given him; but if opposite speeches are delivered, then choice can be exercised. In like manner pure gold is not recognized by itself; but when we test it along with baser ore, we perceive which is the better."--Herodotus on freedom of discussion. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1950, gelatin silver print and gouache on paper and gouache on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.241
Paul Rand, "It is impossible, if no more than one opinion is uttered, to make choice of the best: a man is forced then to follow whatever advice may have been given him; but if opposite speeches are delivered, then choice can be exercised. In like manner pure gold , 1950, gelatin silver print and gouache on paper and gouache on paperboard, sheet: 18 5⁄8 x 14 in. (47.2 x 35.6 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.241

Artwork Details

Title
“It is impossible, if no more than one opinion is uttered, to make choice of the best: a man is forced then to follow whatever advice may have been given him; but if opposite speeches are delivered, then choice can be exercised. In like manner pure gold is not recognized by itself; but when we test it along with baser ore, we perceive which is the better.” – Herodotus on freedom of discussion. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.
Artist
Date
1950
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sheet: 18 5⁄8 x 14 in. (47.2 x 35.6 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums
Mediums Description
gelatin silver print and gouache on paper and gouache on paperboard
Subjects
  • Literature — Herodotus
  • Portrait male — Herodotus
  • Figure male — fragment — face
  • Occupation — education — historian
Object Number
1984.124.241
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.124.241

Works by this artist (6 items)

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Paul Rand, "When men can freely communicate their thoughts and their sufferings, real or imaginary, their passions spend themselves in air, like gunpowder scattered upon the surface; but pent up by terrors, they work unseen, burst forth in a moment, and destroy everything in their course."--Thomas Erskine, on the Advantages of Free Speech, Rex v. Paine, 1792. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1954, crayon, nail, and photomechanical reproduction on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.242
“When men can freely communicate their thoughts and their…
Artist
Date1954
crayon, nail, and photomechanical reproduction on wood
On view
Paul Rand, U. S., from the United Nations Series, 1945, gouache on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.243
U. S., from the United Nations Series
Artist
Date1945
gouache on paperboard
Not on view
Paul Rand, MINUTE MAN, 1974, offset lithograph on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Source unknown, 1997.33
MINUTE MAN
Artist
Date1974
offset lithograph on paper
Not on view
Paul Rand, "The real democratic American idea is not that every man shall be on a level with every other, but that every one shall have liberty without hinderance, to be what God made him."--Henry Ward Beecher on Liberty and Equality. From the series Great Ideas., 1958, cut paper, gouache, watercolor and crayon on paper mounted on paperboard with acetate overlay, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.240
“The real democratic American idea is not that every man…
Artist
Date1958
cut paper, gouache, watercolor and crayon on paper mounted on paperboard with acetate overlay
Not on view

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Douglas Brown, Louis Prima's House, New Orleans, 1937, gouache on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from General Services Administration, 1971.447.12
Louis Prima’s House, New Orleans
Artist
Date1937
gouache on paper
Not on view
Mervin Jules, Maryland, from the United States Series, 1946, gouache on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.131
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Artist
Date1946
gouache on paperboard
Not on view