Political Quotes

Walter Bagehot: The conscious end of early societies was not at all, or scarcely at all, the protection of life and property, as it was…

On the record
The conscious end of early societies was not at all, or scarcely at all, the protection of life and property, as it was assumed to be by the eighteenth-century theory of government.
Said by
Walter Bagehot

Editor's note · Context

Bagehot challenges the notion that early societies primarily aimed to protect life and property, as suggested by 18th-century theories.

Share

More from Walter Bagehot

He had seen that LEISURE is the great need of early societies, and slaves only can give men leisure.

gutenberg.org

The Parliament, the laws, the press were human institutions; but the Monarchy was a Divine institution.

gutenberg.org

Carlyle has taught the present generation many lessons, and one of these is that 'God-fearing' armies are the best armies.

gutenberg.org

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

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation