Where there is little or no public opinion, there is likely to be bad government, which sooner or later becomes autocratic government.

It is what we prevent, rather than what we do that counts most in Government.

I believed the people had a true instinct in most matters of government when left alone. That they were not swayed, as specially favoured individuals were, by …

When it comes to politics, one has to do as one [does] at sea with a sailing ship... reach one's course having regard to prevailing winds.

Democratical States must always feel before they can see: it is this that makes their Governments slow, but the people will be right at last.

Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.

The democracy which shows up in the United States and in England is not an ideal democracy, because the will of the people is under the pressure of property, w…