Walter Bagehot

So long as war is the main business of nations, temporary despotism - despotism during the campaign - is indispensable.

Dullness in matters of government is a good sign, and not a bad one - in particular, dullness in parliamentary government is a test of its excellence, an indication of its success.

One of the greatest pains to human nature is the pain of a new idea.

The whole history of civilization is strewn with creeds and institutions which were invaluable at first, and deadly afterwards.

The best history is but like the art of Rembrandt it casts a vivid light on certain selected causes, on those which were best and greatest it leaves all the rest in shadow and unseen.

A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.

Progress would not have been the rarity it is if the early food had not been the late poison.

A family on the throne is an interesting idea. It brings down the pride of sovereignty to the level of petty life.

No real English gentleman, in his secret soul, was ever sorry for the death of a political economist.