It is astonishing with how little wisdom mankind can be governed, when that little wisdom is its own. W. R. Inge More Quotes by W. R. Inge More Quotes From W. R. Inge Consciousness is a phase of mental life which arises in connection with the formation of new habits. When habit is formed, consciousness only interferes to spoil our performance. W. R. Inge We tolerate shapes in human beings that would horrify us if we saw them in a horse. W. R. Inge