To be entirely free, and at the same time entirely dominated by law, is the eternal paradox of human life.

As one reads history ... one is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted.

I hate vulgar realism in literature. The man who would call a spade a spade should be compelled to use one.

The English public always feels perfectly at ease when a mediocrity is talking to it.

We in the House of Lords are never in touch with public opinion. That makes us a civilised body.

Society, civilized society at least, is never very ready to believe anything to the detriment of those who are both rich and fascinating. It feels instinctively that manners are of more importance than morals, and, in its opinion, the highest respectability is of much less value than the possession of a good chef.

With an evening coat and a white tie, anybody, even a stockbroker, can gain a reputation for being civilized