Quotations From WALTER BAGEHOT

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• 1.

  A schoolmaster should have an atmosphere of awe, and walk wonderingly, as if he was amazed at being himself.

  Walter Bagehot (1826-1877), British economist, critic. (Article originally published 1852). Hartley Coleridge, vol. 1, Literary Studies (1878).
• 2.

  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 (1826-1877), British economist, critic. Physics and Politics, ch. 2, sct. 1 (1872).
  
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• 3.

  The habit of common and continuous speech is a symptom of mental deficiency. It proceeds from not knowing what is going on in other people's minds.

  Walter Bagehot (1826-1877), British economist, critic. (Article originally published 1852). Hartley Coleridge, vol. 1, Literary Studies (1878).
  
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• 4.

  So long as war is the main business of nations, temporary despotism—despotism during the campaign—is indispensable.

  Walter Bagehot (1826-1877), British economist, critic. Physics and Politics, ch. 2, sct. 3 (1872).
  
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• 5.

  Conquest is the missionary of valour, and the hard impact of military virtues beats meanness out of the world.

  Walter Bagehot (1826-1877), British economist, critic. Physics and Politics, ch. 2, sct. 3 (1872).
  
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• 6.

  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 (1826-1877), British economist, critic. Physics and Politics, ch. 2, sect. 2 (1872).
  
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• 7.

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

  Walter Bagehot (1826-1877), British economist, critic. Physics and Politics, ch. 2, sct. 3 (1872).
  
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• 8.

  It is often said that men are ruled by their imaginations; but it would be truer to say they are governed by the weakness of their imaginations.

  Walter Bagehot (1826-1877), British economist, critic. The English Constitution, ch. 2 (1867).
• 9.

  A slight daily unconscious luxury is hardly ever wanting to the dwellers in civilisation; like the gentle air of a genial climate, it is a perpetual minute enjoyment.

  Walter Bagehot (1826-1877), British economist, critic. repr. In Literary Studies, vol. 2 (1878). "The Waverley Novels," (1858).
• 10.

  Poverty is an anomaly to rich people. It is very difficult to make out why people who want dinner do not ring the bell.

  Walter Bagehot (1826-1877), British economist, critic. (Article originally published 1858). The Waverley Novels, vol. 2, Literary Studies (1878).
  
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