Walter Bagehot: “This advice, too, will be said to be obvious; but I have the greatest…”

On the record

This advice, too, will be said to be obvious; but I have the greatest fear that, when the time comes, it will be cast aside as timid and cowardly.

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Walter Bagehot

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Bagehot expresses concern that prudent advice may be disregarded in times of crisis.

More from Walter Bagehot

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

One of the greatest pains to human nature is the pain of a new idea.

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

And again, in political matters, how quickly a leading statesman can change the tone of the community!

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Walter Bagehot: “This advice, too, will be said to be obvious; but I have the greatest fear that, when the time comes, it will be cast…”