Though a few gifted people may advance much, the mass of each generation can improve but very little on the generation which preceded it; and even the slight improvement so gained is liable to be destroyed by some mysterious atavism--some strange recurrence to a primitive past.
Bagehot observes that while some individuals may progress, the majority of humanity sees only slight improvements over time.
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More from Walter Bagehot
But as soon as the House met, Lord Thurlow became the greatest.
He had seen that LEISURE is the great need of early societies, and slaves only can give men leisure.
The work would be done so well that we should not want any one to look over or revise it.
And therefore party is inherent in it, is bone of its bone, and breath of its breath.
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