On Tuesday, December 27, conservative columnist Dr. Thomas Sowell published his final column at the age of 86. Here's how people reacted to the beloved thinker's retirement.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) called him a "brilliant thinker and writer" who inspired a "generation of conservatives":
For decades, Thomas Sowell was a brilliant thinker & writer. He inspired a generation of conservatives. His wisdom will very much be missed. https://t.co/e6mKiKiZH7
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) December 27, 2016
The Heritage Foundation's Jim DeMint remarked how Sowell's "wit and brilliance" allowed him to best his younger peers:
A happy, well-deserved retirement to Thomas Sowell. His brilliance & wit outshone economists half his age—& often, less than half his sense.
— Jim DeMint (@JimDeMint) December 27, 2016
One of the most brilliant economists in history has written his final column—but this won't be the last we hear from Thomas Sowell. pic.twitter.com/y0H4ebHcgn
— Heritage Foundation (@Heritage) December 27, 2016
RELATED: Here's Townhall's thank you note to Dr. Thomas Sowell
Conservative Review called his retirement a "sad day" for conservatives:
A sad day for conservatives: Thomas Sowell bids farewell to his regular column.https://t.co/kMUU1JhGix
— Conservative Review (@CR) December 27, 2016
National Review's Jonah Goldberg called him "one of the greats":
Farewell to one of the greats. https://t.co/RG2ppWXWOL
— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahNRO) December 27, 2016
And, of course, plenty of people shared Sowell's legendary quotes.
A voice we will sorely miss: Thomas Sowell's farewell column: https://t.co/c69qkY2UwY #tcot #PJNET pic.twitter.com/iFvu9vGXrf
— Paul Benedict (@paulbenedict7) December 27, 2016
Intellectuals have trouble remembering that they are not God. - Thomas Sowell. https://t.co/pKZ3k54tdK @PJMedia_com #tcot
— Tyler O'Neil (@Tyler2ONeil) December 27, 2016
"The next time some Academics tell you how important diversity is, ask how many Conservatives are in their Sociology Dept." ~ Thomas Sowell pic.twitter.com/L3DpUHzzWW
— David Wordsmith (@WordSmithGuy) December 27, 2016
”It is so easy to be wrong—and to persist in being wrong—when the costs of being wrong are paid by others.” —Thomas Sowell #BlackLivesMatter
— BLACK CONSERVATIVE (@blackrepublican) December 27, 2016
"Socialism in general has a record of failure so blatant that only an intellectual could ignore or evade it." - Thomas Sowell
— Freedom ???? (@Freedom628628) December 27, 2016
If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism. —Thomas Sowell
— Janie Johnson (@jjauthor) December 27, 2016