Walter Bagehot: “Very commonly all the tribe would expect a punishment from the gods if…”

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Very commonly all the tribe would expect a punishment from the gods if any one of them refrained from what was old, or began what was new.

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Walter Bagehot

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Bagehot reflects on the collective responsibility of a tribe in ancient societies regarding their actions and beliefs.

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The progress of the military art is the most conspicuous, I was about to say the most SHOWY, fact in human history.

He could have found the truth as a statesman just as he found it when a judge; but he never did find it.

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

No doubt this momentary gain is bought at a ruinous after-cost.

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Walter Bagehot: “Very commonly all the tribe would expect a punishment from the gods if any one of them refrained from what was old, or…”