244 Quotes by Thomas B. Macaulay

There was, it is said, a criminal in Italy who was suffered to make his choice between Guicciardini and the galleys. He chose the history. But the war of Pisa was too much for him; he changed his mind, and went to the oars.

The chief-justice was rich, quiet, and infamous.

What a singular destiny has been that of this remarkable man!-To be regarded in his own age as a classic, and in ours as a companion! To receive from his contemporaries that full homage which men of genius have in general received only from posterity; to be more intimately known to posterity than other men are known to their contemporaries!

People crushed by law have no hopes but from power. If laws are their enemies, they will be enemies to laws.

The effect of violent dislike between groups has always created an indifference to the welfare and honor of the state.

It was before Deity embodied in a human form walking among men, partaking of their infirmities, leaning on their bosoms, weeping over their graves, slumbering in the manger, bleeding on the cross, that the prejudices of the synagogue, and the doubts of the academy, and the pride of the portico, and the fasces of the lictor, and the swords of thirty legions were humbled in the dust.

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.

The gallery in which the reporters sit has become a fourth estate of the realm.

The Saviour of mankind Himself, in whose blameless life malice could find no act to impeach, has been called in question for words spoken.