English statesmen and English parties have really a great patriotism; they can rarely be persuaded even by their passions or their interest to do anything contrary to the real interest of England, or anything which would lower England in the eyes of foreign nations.
Bagehot asserts that English statesmen generally act in the nation's best interest despite their passions.
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He gave an excellent moral example to his contemporaries, but he is an instance of those whose good dies with them, while their evil lives after them.
In early society, originality in life was forbidden and repressed by the fixed rule of life.
The whole history of civilisation, is strewn with creeds and institutions which were invaluable at first, and deadly afterwards.
They are solely concerned with his attractiveness as a candidate; they need not regard his efficiency as a ruler.
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