The arts that have escaped [uniformity] best are the arts in which the public take no interest. Poetry is an instance of what I mean. We have been able to have fine poetry in England because the public do not read it, and consequently do not influence it.

There are three kinds of despots. There is the despot who tyrannizes over the body. There is the despot who tyrannizes over the soul. There is the despot who tyrannizes over the soul and body alike. The first is called the Prince. The second is called the Pope. The third is called the People.

By giving us the opinions of the uneducated, journalism keeps us in touch with the ignorance of the community.

We in the House of Lords are never in touch with public opinion. That makes us a civilised body.

Public opinion exists only where there are no ideas.

Public Opinion... an attempt to organize the ignorance of the community, and to elevate it to the dignity of physical force.