Politics is like waking up in the morning. You never know whose head you'll find on the pillow.

It is not always possible to have everything go as one likes. In working with allies, it sometimes happens that they develop opinions of their own

It is not given to princes, statesmen and captains to pierce the mysteries of the future, and even the most penetrating gaze reaches only conclusions which, however seemingly vindicated at a given moment, are inexorably effaced by time.

The monarchy is so extraordinarily useful. When Britain wins a battle she shouts, God save the Queen; when she loses, she votes down the prime minister.

Without courage all other virtues lose their meaning.

The world, nature, human beings, do not move like machines. The edges are never clear-cut, but always frayed. Nature never draws a line without smudging it.

Gentleman, I am hardening on this enterprise. I repeat, I am now hardening towards this enterprise.