Arthur Balfour Quotes

In politics nothing matters very much, and few things matter at all.

Why can't the Jews and the Arabs just sit down together and settle this like good Christians?

It is unfortunate, considering that enthusiasm moves the world, that so few enthusiasts can be trusted to speak the truth.

Our Scottish theory ... is that every country has need of Scotchmen, but that Scotland has no need of the citizens of any other country.

I thought Winston Churchill was a young man of promise, but it appears he is a young man of promises.

Society, dead or alive, can have no charm without intimacy and no intimacy without an interest in trifles.

It has always been desirable to tell the truth, but seldom if ever necessary.

I do not know how it comes about, but if you sit opposite a man every day and you are engaged in fighting him, you cannot help getting a liking for him whether he deserves it or not.

I have done nothing important or distinguished since we met except to win the handicap prize, worth ?4 10/- at North Berwick.

Winston has written four volumes about himself and called it 'World Crisis'.

There are plenty of cases of war being begun before it is declared.

The General Strike has taught the working class more in four days than years of talking could have done.

I'd rather take advice from my valet than from the Conservative Party Conference

The tyranny of majorities may be as bad as the tyranny of Kings.

He has only half learned the art of reading who has not added to it the more refined art of skipping and skimming.

Advice would be more acceptable if it didn't always conflict with our plans.

I never forgive, but I always forget.

Ask with urgency and passion.

Biography should be written by an acute enemy.

I do not stare at a gentleman in distress.

Every human soul is of infinite value, eternal, free; no human being, therefore, is so placed as not to have within his reach, in himself and others, objects adequate to infinite endeavor.

His Majesty's Government looks with favour upon the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jews.

I am more or less happy when being praised, not very comfortable when being abused, but I have moments of uneasiness when being explained.

No country can allow its safety to be wholly dependent on faithful observance by other states of rules to which they are obliged.

Science preceded the theory of science, and is independent of it. Science preceded naturalism, and will survive it.

Herbert Asquith's clarity is a great liability because he has nothing to say.

I look forward to a time when Irish patriotism will as easily combine with British patriotism as Scottish patriotism combines now.

He has only half learned the art of reading who has not added to it the even more refined accomplishments of skipping and skimming.

Society dead or alive can have no charm without intimacy and no intimacy without an interest in trifles.