Nothing is more unpleasant than a virtuous person with a mean mind. Walter Bagehot
The best reason why Monarchy is a strong government is, that it is an intelligible government. The mass of mankind understand it, and they hardly anywhere in the world understand any other. Walter Bagehot
No real English gentleman, in his secret soul, was ever sorry for the death of a political economist. Walter Bagehot
One of the greatest pains to human nature is the pain of a new idea. Walter Bagehot
The reason why so few good books are written is that so few people who can write know anything. Walter Bagehot
A constitutional statesman is in general terms a man of common opinions and uncommon abilities. Walter Bagehot
Capital must be propelled by self-interest; it cannot be enticed by benevolence. Walter Bagehot
An inability to stay quiet is one of the conspicuous failings of mankind. Walter Bagehot
The cure for admiring the House of Lords is to go and look at it. Walter Bagehot
The English people never expect any one to be original. Walter Bagehot
A cabinet is a combining committee, a hyphen which joins, a buckle which fastens, the legislative part of the state to the executive part of the state. Walter Bagehot
The House of Commons lives in a state of perpetual potential choice: at any moment it can choose a ruler and dismiss a ruler. And therefore party is inherent in it, is bone of its bone, and breath of its breath. Walter Bagehot
It is an inevitable defect, that bureaucrats will care more for routine than for results. Walter Bagehot
The natural impulse of the English people is to resist authority. Walter Bagehot
A great Premier must add the vivacity of an idle man to the assiduity of a very laborious one. Walter Bagehot
In every country the extreme party is most irritated against the party which comes nearest itself, but does not go so far. Walter Bagehot