I look upon parliamentary government as the noblest government in the world, and certainly one most suited to England. But without the discipline of political connection, animated by the principle of private honor, I feel certain that a popular assembly would sink before the power or the corruption of a minister.

Everyone likes flattery; and when you come to Royalty you should lay it on with a trowel.

All Paradise opens! Let me die eating ortolans to the sound of soft music!

Teach us that wealth is not elegance, that profusion is not magnificence, that splendor is not beauty.

The practice of politics in the East may be defined by one word: dissimulation.

It is a great mistake to suppose that bribery and corruption, although they may be very convenient for gratifying the ambition or the vanity of individuals, have any great effect upon the fortunes or the power of parties. And it is a great mistake to suppose that bribery and corruption are means by which power can either be ob-tained or retained.

There can be economy only where there is efficiency.