A democratic despotism is like a theocracy: it assumes its own correctness. Walter Bagehot More Quotes by Walter Bagehot More Quotes From Walter Bagehot Stupidity is nature's favorite resource for preserving consistency of opinion. Walter Bagehot consistencystupidityopinion History is strewn with the wrecks of nations which have gained a little progressiveness at the cost of a great deal of hard manliness, and have thus prepared themselves for destruction as soon as the movements of the world have a chance for it. Walter Bagehot wreckslittlesmen Civilized ages inherit the human nature which was victorious in barbarous ages, and that nature is, in many respects, not at all suited to civilized circumstances. Walter Bagehot human-naturesocietyage The characteristic merit of the English constitutions is, that its dignified parts are very complicated and somewhat imposing, very old and rather venerable, while its efficient part, at least when in great and critical action, is decidedly simple and modern. Walter Bagehot meritsimpleaction The cardinal maxim is, that any aid to a present bad Bank is the surest mode of preventing the establishment of a future good Bank. Walter Bagehot aidsinvestingcardinals A schoolmaster should have an atmosphere of awe, and walk wonderingly, as if he was amazed at being himself. Walter Bagehot teachingfearteacher Life is a school of probability. Walter Bagehot philosophylifeart Writers like teeth are divided into incisors and grinders. Walter Bagehot grinderteethwriting 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. Walter Bagehot lighthistoryart Business is really more agreeable than pleasure; it interests the whole mind, the aggregate nature of man more continuously, and more deeply. But it does not look as if it did. Walter Bagehot businessmindmen In every particular state of the world, those nations which are strongest tend to prevail over the others; and in certain marked peculiarities the strongest tend to be the best. Walter Bagehot being-the-beststatesworld The real essence of work is concentrated energy. Walter Bagehot energyrealessence Not only does a bureaucracy tend to under-government in point of quality; it tends to over-government in point of quantity. Walter Bagehot qualitygovernmentdoe The mystic reverence, the religious allegiance, which are essential to a true monarchy, are imaginative sentiments that no legislature can manufacture in any people. Walter Bagehot religiouspeoplereligion The cure for admiring the House of Lords is to go and look at it. Walter Bagehot politicalhouselooks A Parliament is nothing less than a big meeting of more or less idle people. Walter Bagehot politicspoliticalpeople Men who do not make advances to women are apt to become victims to women who make advances to them. Walter Bagehot womenvictimmen The less money lying idle the greater is the dividend. Walter Bagehot idlegreaterlying The reason why so few good books are written is that so few people who can write know anything. Walter Bagehot writingbookpeople Nine tenths of modern science is in this respect the same: it is the produce of men whom their contemporaries thought dreamers - who were laughed at for caring for what did not concern them - who, as the proverb went, 'walked into a well from looking at the stars' - who were believed to be useless, if anyone could be such. Walter Bagehot starscaringlife
