John Morley: “Now I think a public man who spends overmuch time in vindicating his consistency, makes a mistake.”

With a few exceptions, a political speech like the manna in the wilderness loses its savour on the second day.

He was a soldier of infinite personal courage and daring; of striking military energy, initiative, and resource; a high, pure, and single character, dwelling much in the region of the unseen.

All alike concerned themselves with its truth or falsehood, with what they counted to be its abstract fitness or unfitness.

The omnipotent though not omniscient divinity called public opinion intervened.