The whole history of civilization is strewn with creeds and…

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

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Other Walter Bagehot Quotes

Honor sinks where commerce long prevails. - View Quote Details on Honor sinks where commerce long prevails.
Men who do not make advances to women are apt to become victims to women who make advances to them. - View Quote Details on Men who do not make advances to women are apt…
Most men of business think “Anyhow this system will probably last my time. It has gone on a long time, and is likely to go on still.” - View Quote Details on Most men of business think “Anyhow this system will probably…
An ambassador is not simply an agent; he is also a spectacle. - View Quote Details on An ambassador is not simply an agent; he is also…
Open-mindedness should not be fostered because, as Scripture teaches, Truth is great and will prevail, nor because, as Milton suggests, Truth will always win in a free and open encounter. It should be fostered for its own sake. - View Quote Details on Open-mindedness should not be fostered because, as Scripture teaches, Truth…
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. - View Quote Details on The best reason why Monarchy is a strong government is,…
In excited states of the public mind they have scarcely a discretion at all; the tendency of the public perturbation determines what shall and what shall not be dealt with. But, upon the other hand, in quiet times statesmen have great power; when there is no fire lighted, they can settle what fire shall be lit. And as the new suffrage is happily to be tried in a quiet time, the responsibility of our statesmen is great because their power is great too. - View Quote Details on In excited states of the public mind they have scarcely…
The purse strings tie us to our kind. - View Quote Details on The purse strings tie us to our kind.
A highly developed moral nature joined to an undeveloped intellectual nature, an undeveloped artistic nature, and a very limited religious nature, is of necessity repulsive. It represents a bit of human nature — a good bit, of course, but a bit only — in disproportionate, unnatural and revolting prominence. - View Quote Details on A highly developed moral nature joined to an undeveloped intellectual…
[Of Guizot] A Puritan born in France by mistake. - View Quote Details on [Of Guizot] A Puritan born in France by mistake.