The opposition is indispensable. A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, always learns more from his opposition than from his fervent supporters.

Men fall into a routine when they are tired and slack: it has all the appearance of activity with few of its burdens.

Men are mortal, but ideas are immortal.

The first principle of a civilized state is that power is legitimate only when it is under contract.

When men are brought face to face with their opponents, forced to listen and learn and mend their ideas, they cease to be children and savages and begin to live like civilized men. Then only is freedom a reality, when men may voice their opinions because they must examine their opinions.

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

What we call a democratic society might be defined for certain purposes as one in which the majority is always prepared to put down a revolutionary minority.