Walter Bagehot: “We are not now remarkable for the highest sort of ambition; but we are…”

On the record

We are not now remarkable for the highest sort of ambition; but we are remarkable for having a great deal of the lower sort of ambition and envy.

Said by

Walter Bagehot

Source

Bagehot observes that while ambition may not be lofty, it is prevalent among the English populace.

More from Walter Bagehot

They are above corruption because they are the corruptors.

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

But all men heed great results, and a change of Government is a great result.

There is no ELASTIC element, everything is rigid, specified, dated.

Other voices in this conversation

Walter Bagehot: “We are not now remarkable for the highest sort of ambition; but we are remarkable for having a great deal of the lower…”