The tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity.

The tendency of democracies is, in all things, to mediocrity.

Be England what she will, with all her faults she is my country still.

Be England what she will, with all her faults she is my country still.

You do not examine legislation in the light of the benefits it will convey if properly administered, but in the read more

You do not examine legislation in the light of the benefits it will convey if properly administered, but in the light of the wrongs it would do and the harms it would cause if improperly administered.

Democracy is the art of running the circus from the monkey cage.

Democracy is the art of running the circus from the monkey cage.

Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.

Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.

The love of their country is with them only a mode of flattering its master; as soon as they think read more

The love of their country is with them only a mode of flattering its master; as soon as they think that master can no longer hear, they speak of everything with a frankness which is the more startling because those who listen to it become responsible.

All revolutions...have been led by persons who knew oppression well, but not on their own skin.

All revolutions...have been led by persons who knew oppression well, but not on their own skin.

A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman, of the next generation.

A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman, of the next generation.

The law giver, of all beings, most owes the law allegiance. He of all men should behave as though the read more

The law giver, of all beings, most owes the law allegiance. He of all men should behave as though the law compelled him. But it is the universal weakness of mankind that what we are given to administer we presently imagine we own.