A slight daily unconscious luxury is hardly ever wanting to the dwellers in civilization; like the gentle air of a genial climate, it is a perpetual minute enjoyment.
From Walter Bagehot
The greatest mistake is trying to be more agreeable than you can be.
An influential member of parliament has not only to pay much money to become such, and to give time and labour, he has also to sacrifice his mind too - at least all the characteristics part of it that which is original and most his own.
Dullness in matters of government is a good sign, and not a bad one - in particular, dullness in parliamentary government is a test of its excellence, an indication of its success.
The whole history of civilization is strewn with creeds and institutions which were invaluable at first, and deadly afterwards.
A severe though not unfriendly critic of our institutions said that the cure for admiring the House of Lords was to go and look at it.
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