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The decrepitude that ended in the Latin conquest of Constantinople at the beginning of the thirteenth century, and the Mahometan conquest in the middle of the fifteenth, is an awkward reproof to the optimist superstition that civilized communities are universally bound somehow or another to be progressive.

— John Morley, 1st Viscount Morley of Blackburn Notes on Politics and History: A University Address (1914)

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More quotes by John Morley, 1st Viscount Morley of Blackburn

The intelligence is not free in the presence of a mortal fear lest its conclusions should trouble soft tranquillity of spirit.

On Compromise (1908)

Define it as we may, faith in Progress has been the mainspring of Liberalism in all its schools and branches.

The political spirit is the great force in throwing love of truth and accurate reasoning into a secondary place.

On Compromise (1908)

Nature, in her most dazzling aspects or stupendous parts, is but the background and theatre of the tragedy of man.

It is not enough to do good; one must do it the right way.

Rousseau (1876)

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