Robert Walpole quotes

All those men have their price. (Robert Walpole)
I will not attempt to deny the reasonableness and necessity of a party war; but in carrying on that war all principles and rules of justice should not be departed from. View quote
Robert Walpole
Let sleeping dogs lie. View quote
Robert Walpole
I have never been afraid of making patriots; but I disdain and despise all their efforts. View quote
Robert Walpole
The very idea of true patriotism is lost, and the term has been prostituted to the very worst of purposes. A patriot, sir! Why, patriots spring up like mushrooms! View quote
Robert Walpole
The gratitude of place-expectants is a lively sense of future favours. View quote
Robert Walpole
Anything but history, for history must be false. View quote
Robert Walpole
I dare be bold to affirm that, had the King of France beaten us, as we have done him, he would have been so modest as to have given us better terms than we have gained after all our glorious victories. View quote
Robert Walpole
The most unrighteous judgment was passed upon me in the House that was ever heard of...against the most positive evidence that it was possible in any case to give. ... I am made a sacrifice to the violence of a party and entirely innocent. View quote
Robert Walpole
It is obvious, that the people of England are at this moment animated against each other, with a spirit of hatred and rancour. It behoves you, in the first place, to find a remedy for these distempers which at present are predominant in the civil constitution. View quote
Robert Walpole
I am at a loss to discover where they will find this divine right in our government, or at least where they do find it in the reign of the late King [William III], whose title to be rightful and lawful king they have all sworn, or where they will find it in the next Protestant successor, for whom they profess an equal zeal, is not very obvious to me. (Robert Walpole)
It is but refusing to gratify an unreasonable or an insolent demand, and up starts a patriot. View quote
Robert Walpole
Gentlemen have talked a great deal of patriotism. A venerable word, when duly practised. View quote
Robert Walpole
IT has been observed by several gentlemen, in vindication of this motion, that if it should be carried, neither my life, liberty, nor estate will be affected. View quote
Robert Walpole
Whatever was the conduct of England, I am equally arraigned. View quote
Robert Walpole
Many words are not wanting to show that the particular view of each court occasioned the dangers which affected the public tranquillity; yet the whole is charged to my account. Nor is this sufficient. View quote
Robert Walpole
If they are really persuaded that the army is annually established by me, that I have the sole disposal of posts and honours, that I employ this power in the destruction of liberty and the diminution of commerce, let me awaken them from their delusion. View quote
Robert Walpole
No expense has been incurred but what has been approved of and provided for by Parliament. View quote
Robert Walpole
Is it no imputation to be arraigned before this House, in which I have sat forty years, and to have my name transmitted to posterity with disgrace and infamy? View quote
Robert Walpole
I can not, therefore, see how this can be imputed as a crime, or how any of the king's ministers can be blamed for his doing what the public has no concern in; for if the public be well and faithfully served it has no business to ask by whom. View quote
Robert Walpole
The doctrine of unlimited passive obedience was first invented to support arbitrary power, but [was] of no use in her Majesty's reign, where the law was the only measure of the regal power and people's obedience; and since it could be of no use or security to her Majesty there could be no other aim in it than to unhinge the government, and clear the way to the impostor's title. In fine, if the sin of resistance was damnable, there must a sincere repentance ensue to wash away the guilt, and this could not be done without restitution. (Robert Walpole)
Oh, do not read history, for that I know must be false. View quote
Robert Walpole
But I must think that an address to his majesty to remove one of his servants, without so much as alleging any particular crime against him, is one of the greatest encroachments that was ever made upon the prerogatives of the crown. View quote
Robert Walpole
Admitting, however, for the sake of argument, that I am prime and sole minister in this country, am I, therefore, prime and sole minister of all Europe? Am I answerable for the conduct of other countries as well as for that of my own? View quote
Robert Walpole
Have I given any symptoms of an avaricious disposition? Have I obtained any grants from the crown since I have been placed at the head of the treasury? Has my conduct been different from that which others in the same station would have followed? View quote
Robert Walpole