The Sovereign has, under a constitutional monarchy such as ours, three rights - the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, the right to warn. And a king of great sense and sagacity would want no others.

A family on the throne is an interesting idea. It brings down the pride of sovereignty to the level of petty life.

An inability to stay quiet is one of the conspicuous failings of mankind.

When great questions end, little parties begin.

An element of exaggeration clings to the popular judgment: great vices are made greater, great virtues greater also; interesting incidents are made more interesting, softer legends more soft.

It is often said that men are ruled by their imaginations; but it would be truer to say they are governed by the weakness of their imaginations.

In my youth I hoped to do great things; now I shall be satisfied to get through without scandal.