Thomas Babington Macaulay Quotes

1800–1859 England

Thomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay (25 October 1800 – 28 December 1859) was a nineteenth century British poet, historian and Whig politician.

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Also known as: Lord Macaulay, Macaulay, Macaulay, Thomas Babington, T. B. Macaulay, T.B. Macaulay, Thomas B. Macaulay

Random Thomas Babington Macaulay quote

143 quotes

That wonderful book [The Pilgrim's Progress], while it obtains admiration from the most fastidious critics, is loved by those who are too simple to admire it.

We believe it to be a rule without an exception, that the violence of a revolution corresponds to the degree of misgovemment which has produced that revolution.

He [William Temple] was merely a man of lively parts and quick observation,—a man of the world amongst men of letters,—a man of letters amongst men of the world.

Every young Brahmin... who learns geography in our colleges, learns to smile at the Hindu mythology.

And even the ranks of Tuscany
Could scarce forbear to cheer.

Lays of Ancient Rome (1842)

We have seen that the true source of the power of demagogues is the obstinacy of rulers and that a liberal Government makes a conservative people.

Reform, that you may preserve.

Our democracy was from an early period the most aristocratic, and our aristocracy the most democratic.

The sentinel on Whitehall gate looked forth into the night.

The Armada (1833)

In order that he might rob a neighbour whom he had promised to defend, black men fought on the coast of Coromandel, and red men scalped each other by the Great Lakes of North America.

Forget all feuds, and shed one English tear
O'er English dust. A broken heart lies here.

Epitaph on a Jacobite (1845)

Many evils, no doubt, were produced by the civil war. They were the price of our liberty.

Milton', The Edinburgh Review (1825)

Attend, all ye who list to hear our noble England’s praise;
I tell of the thrice famous deeds she wrought in ancient days.

The Armada (1833)

He [Steele] was a rake among scholars, and a scholar among rakes.

The Chief Justice was rich, quiet, and infamous.

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?"

I, with two more to help me,
Will hold the foe in play.
In yon strait path a thousand
May well be stopped by three.
Now who will stand on either hand,
And keep the bridge with me?

Lays of Ancient Rome (1842)

Shame on the false Etruscan
Who lingers in his home,
When Porsena of Clusium
Is on the march for Rome!

We know that India cannot have a free Government. But she may have the next best thing,—a firm and impartial despotism.

Minute (1838)

He [Richard Steele] was a rake among scholars, and a scholar among rakes.

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Thomas Babington Macaulay (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.