Walter Bagehot: “But, upon the other hand, in quiet times statesmen have great power…”

On the record

But, upon the other hand, in quiet times statesmen have great power; when there is no fire lighted, they can settle what fire shall be lit.

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Walter Bagehot

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Bagehot contrasts the power of statesmen in calm times with their limited influence during crises.

More from Walter Bagehot

They are above corruption because they are the corruptors.

But the Jewish advantage never did so; beginning in religion, contrary to a thousand analogies, it remained religious.

Savages waste away before modern civilisation; they seem to have held their ground before the ancient.

He could have found the truth as a statesman just as he found it when a judge; but he never did find it.

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Walter Bagehot: “But, upon the other hand, in quiet times statesmen have great power; when there is no fire lighted, they can settle what…”