Walter Bagehot: “He might, and no doubt did, exercise a great, if not a commanding…”

On the record

He might, and no doubt did, exercise a great, if not a commanding influence over Lord Malmesbury, but he could not rule Lord Palmerston.

Said by

Walter Bagehot

Source

This quote illustrates the limits of influence one individual can have over another in political contexts.

More from Walter Bagehot

And, to the effectual maintenance of such a separation, the exclusion of the President's Ministers from the legislature is essential.

He had seen that LEISURE is the great need of early societies, and slaves only can give men leisure.

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.

Other voices in this conversation

Walter Bagehot: “He might, and no doubt did, exercise a great, if not a commanding influence over Lord Malmesbury, but he could not rule…”