Walter Bagehot: “The plans of Charlemagne died with him; those of Richelieu were…”

On the record

The plans of Charlemagne died with him; those of Richelieu were mistaken; those of Napoleon gigantesque and frantic.

Said by

Walter Bagehot

Source

He uses historical examples to illustrate the futility of grandiose plans that do not survive their creators.

More from Walter Bagehot

The moderate people of every party must combine to support the Government which, on the whole, suits every party best.

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

But as soon as the House met, Lord Thurlow became the greatest.

They have given what I may call a CONFIDENCE IN THE UNIVERSE.

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Walter Bagehot: “The plans of Charlemagne died with him; those of Richelieu were mistaken; those of Napoleon gigantesque and frantic.”