William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham Quotes
1708–1778 England
Also known as: William Pitt the Elder, William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, Pitt, William, 1st Earl of Chatham
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24 quotes
Reparation for our rights at home, and security against the like future violations.
Confidence is a plant of slow growth in an aged bosom.
Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it; and this I know, my lords, that where laws end, tyranny begins.
Concession comes with better grace and more salutary effect from superior power.
We have a Calvinistic creed, a Popish liturgy, and an Arminian clergy.
Prior's Life of Burke (1790)
A long train of these practices has at length unwillingly convinced me that there is something behind the throne greater than the King himself.
Allay the ferment prevailing in America by removing the obnoxious hostile cause—obnoxious and unserviceable—for their merit can only be in action. "Non dimicare et vincare."
Pitt complained that we lay inactive, while the French pushed on their conquests.
A gloomy scene for this distressed, disgraced country.
The only way to have peace is to prepare for war.
While we had France for an enemy, Germany was the scene to employ and baffle her arms.
When the people condemn me I shall tremble but I shall set my face against the proudest connection in the country.
My Lord, I am sure I can save this country, and no one else can.
If I were an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop was landed in my country I never would lay down my arms,—never! never! never!
Now as to politeness … I would venture to call it benevolence in trifles.
Where law ends, there tyranny begins.
It must cut up Liberty by the root and poison the Fountain of Publick Security; and who that has an English heart can ever be weary of asserting Liberty?
We are now to examine whether it is probable that we shall preserve our commerce and our independence, or whether we are sinking into subjection to a foreign power.
...the errors of Rome...[are] rank idolatry—a subversion of all civil as well as religious liberty, and the utter disgrace of reason and of human nature.
The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the forces of the Crown. It may be frail—its roof may shake—the wind may blow through it—the storm may enter—the rain may enter—but the King of England cannot enter!—all his force dares not cross the threshold of the ruined tenement!