The only feeling that anyone can have about an event he does not experience is the feeling aroused by his mental image of that event ... For it is clear enough that under certain conditions men respond as powerfully to fictions as they do to realities.

The common interests very largely elude public opinion entirely, and can be managed only by a specialised class.

It was in the recognition that there is in each man a final essence, that is to say an immortal soul which only God can judge, that a limit was set upon the dominion of men over men.

Between ourselves and our real natures we interpose that wax figure of idealizations and selections which we call our character.

If all power is in the people, if there is no higher law than their will, and if by counting their votes, their will may be ascertained - then the people may entrust all their power to anyone, and the power of the pretender and the usurper is then legitimate. It is not to be challenged since it came originally from the sovereign people.

The genius of a good leader is to leave behind him a situation which common sense, without the grace of genius, can deal with successfully.

Ignore what a man desires and you ignore the very source of his power.