Robert Walpole famous quotes

05-24-2025

It is but refusing to gratify an unreasonable or an insolent demand, and up starts a patriot.
-- Robert Walpole

#Demand #Patriot #Unreasonable
No expense has been incurred but what has been approved of and provided for by Parliament.
-- Robert Walpole

#Parliament #Expenses
Whatever was the conduct of England, I am equally arraigned.
-- Robert Walpole

#England
The gratitude of place-expectants is a lively sense of future favours.
-- Robert Walpole

#Gratitude #Favour #Politics
All those men have their price.
-- Robert Walpole

#Men #Politics #Politician
I have lived long enough in the world, Sir, . . . to know that the safety of a minister lies in his having the approbation of this House. Former ministers, Sir, neglected this, and therefore they fell; I have always made it my first study to obtain it...
-- Robert Walpole

#Lying #Safety #Long
I took the right sow by the ear.
-- Robert Walpole

#Ears
Though I admire republican principles in theory, yet I am afraid the practice may be too perfect for human nature. We tried a republic last century, and it failed. Let our enemies try next. I hate political experiments.
-- Robert Walpole

#Hate #Practice #Perfect
Every man has his price.
-- Robert Walpole

#Money #Men #Bribery
All history is a lie!
-- Robert Walpole

#Lying #History
Oh, do not read history, for that I know must be false.
-- Robert Walpole

#History
I have never been afraid of making patriots; but I disdain and despise all their efforts.
-- Robert Walpole

#Effort #Patriot #Despise
I will not attempt to deny the reasonableness and necessity of a party war; but in carrying on that war all principles and rules of justice should not be departed from.
-- Robert Walpole

#War #Party #Justice
Let sleeping dogs lie.
-- Robert Walpole

#Dog #Lying #Sleep
The very idea of true patriotism is lost, and the term has been prostituted to the very worst of purposes. A patriot, sir! Why, patriots spring up like mushrooms!
-- Robert Walpole

#Spring #Mushrooms #Ideas
Gentlemen have talked a great deal of patriotism. A venerable word, when duly practiced.
-- Robert Walpole

#Gentleman #Patriotism #Deals
If they are really persuaded that the army is annually established by me, that I have the sole disposal of posts and honours, that I employ this power in the destruction of liberty and the diminution of commerce, let me awaken them from their delusion.
-- Robert Walpole

#Army #Liberty #Awakening
Is it no imputation to be arraigned before this House, in which I have sat forty years, and to have my name transmitted to posterity with disgrace and infamy?
-- Robert Walpole

#Hypocrite #Years #Names
Many words are not wanting to show that the particular view of each court occasioned the dangers which affected the public tranquillity; yet the whole is charged to my account. Nor is this sufficient.
-- Robert Walpole

#Views #Quiet #Danger
IT has been observed by several gentlemen, in vindication of this motion, that if it should be carried, neither my life, liberty, nor estate will be affected.
-- Robert Walpole

#Gentleman #Liberty #Should
I can not, therefore, see how this can be imputed as a crime, or how any of the king's ministers can be blamed for his doing what the public has no concern in; for if the public be well and faithfully served it has no business to ask by whom.
-- Robert Walpole

#Kings #Business #Crime
Persons extremely reserved are like old enamelled watches, which had painted covers, that hindered your seeing what o'clock it was.
-- Robert Walpole

#Watches #Clock #Persons

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