Walter Bagehot: “The statesmen who had most power in England were men of far greater…”

On the record

The statesmen who had most power in England were men of far greater experience than himself.

Said by

Walter Bagehot

Source

Bagehot reflects on the experience of influential statesmen in England compared to lesser figures.

More from Walter Bagehot

In early society, originality in life was forbidden and repressed by the fixed rule of life.

And therefore party is inherent in it, is bone of its bone, and breath of its breath.

They are solely concerned with his attractiveness as a candidate; they need not regard his efficiency as a ruler.

The power of free interchange of ideas being wanting, the ideas themselves were barren.

Other voices in this conversation

Walter Bagehot: “The statesmen who had most power in England were men of far greater experience than himself.”