I have known several persons of great fame for wisdom in public affairs and councils governed by foolish servants. I have known great ministers, distinguished for wit and learning, who preferred none but dunces. I have known men of valor cowards to their wives. I have known men of cunning perpetually cheated. I knew three ministers who would exactly compute and settle the accounts of a kingdom, wholly ignorant of their own economy.
Horace WalpoleThe way to ensure summer in England is to have it framed and glazed in a comfortable room.
Horace WalpoleOur [British] summers are often, though beautiful for verdure, so cold, that they are rather cold winters.
Horace WalpoleI do not admire politicians; but when they are excellent in their way, one cannot help allowing them their due.
Horace WalpoleI have sometimes seen women, who would have been sensible enough, if they would have been content not to be called women of sense--but by aiming at what they had not, they only proved absurd--for sense cannot be counterfeited.
Horace Walpole