Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams are two of the bravest academic scholars in America, and two of the boldest black men. We have long carried both men’s columns in our Right Opinion section. Sowell is retiring after decades standing in the line of fire in defense of Freedom.

He published his final “Random Thoughts” piece on December 27. Here are a few priceless excerpts:

Warning America: “If you want to understand the fatal dangers facing America today, read ‘The Gathering Storm’ by Winston Churchill. The book is not about America, the Middle East, or nuclear missiles. But it shows Europe’s attitudes and delusions…”

Addressing academic idiocy: “Black adults, during the years when I was growing up in Harlem, had far less education than black adults today — but far more common sense. In an age of artificial intelligence, too many of our schools and colleges are producing artificial stupidity, among both blacks and whites.”

Regarding our pathetic culture: “There are words that were once common but that are seldom heard any more. The phrase ‘none of your business’ is one of these. Today, everything seems to be the government’s business or the media’s business. And the word ‘risqué’ would be almost impossible to explain to young people, in a world where gross vulgarity is widespread and widely accepted.”

About what we celebrate: “When I was growing up, we were taught the stories of people whose inventions and scientific discoveries had expanded the lives of millions of other people. Today, students are being taught to admire those who complain, denounce, and demand.”

Over the years, Sowell has routinely written such wonderful insight.

And in his farewell column the next day, Sowell offered wisdom quite typical of his missives: “We cannot return to the past, even if we wanted to, but let us hope that we can learn something from the past to make for a better present and future. Goodbye and good luck to all.”

Thank God for the intellect and courage of Thomas Sowell! He will be sorely missed.