"So long as war is the main business of nations, temporary despotism - despotism during the campaign - is indispensable."

"Dullness in matters of government is a good sign, and not a bad one - in particular, dullness in parliamentary government is a test of its excellence, an indication of its success."

"No real English gentleman, in his secret soul, was ever sorry for the death of a political economist."

"A family on the throne is an interesting idea. It brings down the pride of sovereignty to the level of petty life."

"I'm very serious about what I do. I practice every day for three hours. I work on my scales; I work on my tone. But otherwise, I like to have fun."

"It is a unyielding truth that do not hurry what nature takes seasons to unfold."

"I should do something about the cigarettes I quite accept that it's bad for your health, but you know a moderate tipple is positively beneficial and, at certain times, absolutely essential."

"Do not trust to the cheering, for those persons would shout as much if you and I were going to be hanged."