Tag: John Russell

If peace cannot be maintained with honour, it is no longer peace.

John Russell

It is my persuasion, that the liberties of Englishmen, being founded upon the general consent of all, must remain upon that basis, or must altogether cease to have any existence. We cannot confine liberty in this country to one class of men: we cannot erect here a senate of Venice, by which a small part of the community is enabled to lord it over the majority; we cannot in this land, and at this time make liberty the inheritance of a caste.

John Russell

Government will always be conducted for the benefit of those who govern. If the few alone govern, the interests of the few only will be provided for; if the people themselves have a share in the government, the interests of the many will be consulted.

John Russell

What a pity that he who steals a penny loaf should be hung, whilst he who steals thousands of the public money should be acquitted!

John Russell

[A proverb is] one man’s wit, and all men’s wisdom.

John Russell

“The grand rule of doing to others as we wish that they should do unto us is more applicable than any system of political science.”

John Russell

If you cannot afford to do justice speedily and well, you may as well shut up the Exchequer and confess that you have no right to raise taxes for the protection of the subject, for justice is the first and primary end of all government.

John Russell