Horace Walpole quotes - page 3

The curse of modern times is, that almost everything does create controversy. (Horace Walpole)
In science, mistakes always precede the truth. View quote
Horace Walpole
History is a romance that is believed romance, a history that is not believed. View quote
Horace Walpole
Mystery is the wisdom of blockheads. View quote
Horace Walpole
Old friends are the great blessings of one's later years. Half a word conveys one's meaning. They have a memory of the same events, have the same mode of thinking. I have young relations that may grow upon me, for my nature is affectionate, but can they grow To Be old friends. View quote
Horace Walpole
I do not dislike the French from the vulgar antipathy between neighboring nations, but for their insolent and unfounded air of superiority. View quote
Horace Walpole
Serendipitous discoveries are made by chance, found without looking for them but possible only through a sharp vision and sagacity, ready to see the unexpected and never indulgent with the apparently unexplainable. View quote
Horace Walpole
Every drop of ink in my pen ran cold. View quote
Horace Walpole
At last some curious traveller from Lima will visit England, and give a description of the ruins of St. Paul's, like the editions of Baalbec and Palmyra. View quote
Horace Walpole
When I first came abroad, every thing struck me. View quote
Horace Walpole
These horrible affairs in France are the offspring of fanaticism. Yes, sir; if the reformation had taken place there, as well as here, religion and the clergy would have been respected, as they are here. Fanatics make atheists. If I cannot believe in God without believing that a wafer is God, my reason abjures the deity. I wish religion to exist: it is of infinite use to society, and I therefore wish it to be as rational as possible. A synod of the English church might order several objectionable tenets and expressions of our worship to be altered. I love those reformations that prevent revolutions, by keeping pace with the gradual progress of reason and knowledge. (Horace Walpole)
Sir Robert Walpole used to say, that it was fortunate so few men could be prime ministers, as it was best that few should thoroughly know the shocking wickedness of mankind. I never heard him say, that all men have their prices; and I believe no such expression ever came from his mouth. View quote
Horace Walpole
I visit Paris often, and have considerably studied the French character. In individuals it is often excellent; but taken in general it disgusts by its petulance and vanity. The French have always been dissolute in their amours; and are thus led to assail the chastity of foreign women, the most unpardonable of all affronts to fathers, brothers, husbands, and lovers. This, and their petulant overbearing conduct, prevent their conquests from being lasting. Yes, I swear to you by the Sicilian vespers, they can never be of much duration. View quote
Horace Walpole
We must speak to the eyes, if we wish to affect the mind. View quote
Horace Walpole
Good men are never concerned in revolutions, because they will not go the lengths. Sunderland caused the revolution of 1688, while Devonshire stood aloof-the latter was the angel, the former the storm. Bad men and poisonous plants are sometimes of superlative use in skilful hands. View quote
Horace Walpole
King William asked Mr. Locke how long he thought the revolution principles might last in England. The philosopher answered, "Till this generation shall have passed away, and our universities shall have had time to breed a new one." Many things I disapprove in our universities, where the country gentlemen are educated in Toryism by Tory clergy. View quote
Horace Walpole