Quote

How it chanced that a man who reasoned on his premises so ably, should assume his premises so foolishly, is one of the great mysteries of human nature.

Thomas B. Macaulay

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Thomas B. Macaulay
Men
Mysteries
Assume
Assuming
Mystery
Ably
Nature
Chanced
Human
Foolishly
Humans
Reasoned
Great
Premises

More quotes by Thomas B. Macaulay

Image
I am always nearest to myself, says the Latin proverb.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
No man who is correctly informed as to the past will be disposed to take a morose or desponding view of the present.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
We must judge of a form of government by it's general tendency, not by happy accidents
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
Every sect clamors for toleration when it is down.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
Ambrose Phillips . . . who had the honor of bringing into fashion a species of composition which has been called, after his name, Namby Pamby.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
What proposition is there respecting human nature which is absolutely and universally true? We know of only one,--and that is not only true, but identical,--that men always act from self-interest.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
In perseverance, in self command, in forethought, in all virtues which conduce to success in life, the Scots have never been surpassed.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
We hardly know an instance of the strength and weakness of human nature so striking and so grotesque as the character of this haughty, vigilant, resolute, sagacious blue-stocking, half Mithridates and half Trissotin, bearing up against a world in arms, with an ounce of poison in one pocket and a quire of bad verses in the other.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
I have not the smallest doubt that, if we had a purely democratic government here, the effect would be the same. Either the poor would plunder the rich, and civilisation would perish or order and property would be saved by a strong military government, and liberty would perish.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
The impenetrable stupidity of Prince George (son-in-law of James II) served his turn. It was his habit, when any news was told him, to exclaim, Est il possible?-Is it possible?
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
The Church is the handmaid of tyranny and the steady enemy of liberty.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
In the plays of Shakespeare man appears as he is, made up of a crowd of passions which contend for the mastery over him, and govern him in turn.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
Perhaps no person can be a poet, or can even enjoy poetry, without a certain unsoundness of mind.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
It is impossible for us, with our limited means, to attempt to educate the body of the people. We must at present do our best to form a class who may be interpreters between us and the millions whom we govern.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
The real object of the drama is the exhibition of human character.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
Language is the machine of the poet.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
She thoroughly understands what no other Church has ever understood, how to deal with enthusiasts.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
The perfect disinterestedness and self-devotion of which men seem incapable, but which is sometimes found in women.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
Our estimate of a character always depends much on the manner in which that character affects our own interests and passions.
Thomas B. Macaulay
Image
Finesse is the best adaptation of means to circumstances.
Thomas B. Macaulay