Political Quotes

Walter Bagehot: It was in the small republics of Greece and Italy that the chain of custom was first broken. 'Liberty said, Let there be…

On the record
It was in the small republics of Greece and Italy that the chain of custom was first broken. 'Liberty said, Let there be light, and, like a sunrise on the sea, Athens arose,' says Shelley, and his historical philosophy is in this case far more correct than is usual with him.
Said by
Walter Bagehot

Editor's note · Context

Bagehot cites Shelley to illustrate how the concept of liberty emerged in the small republics of Greece and Italy.

Share

More from Walter Bagehot

And therefore party is inherent in it, is bone of its bone, and breath of its breath.

gutenberg.org

The nation then selected the English policy, but the Crown chose the English Ministers.

gutenberg.org

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

gutenberg.org

All savage religions are full of superstitions founded on luck.

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation