Persons extremely reserved are like old enamelled watches, which had painted covers, that hindered your seeing what o'clock it was.

I have lived long enough in the world, Sir, . . . to know that the safety of a minister lies in his having the approbation of this House. Former ministers, Sir, neglected this, and therefore they fell; I have always made it my first study to obtain it.

It is but refusing to gratify an unreasonable or an insolent demand, and up starts a patriot.

Many words are not wanting to show that the particular view of each court occasioned the dangers which affected the public tranquillity; yet the whole is charged to my account. Nor is this sufficient.

[Read] anything but history,.. for history must be false.

Though I admire republican principles in theory, yet I am afraid the practice may be too perfect for human nature. We tried a republic last century, and it failed. Let our enemies try next. I hate political experiments.

No expense has been incurred but what has been approved of and provided for by Parliament.