William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne

“It is tiresome to be always saying 'no'.”

“Go and tell him that I will not see him, that I am ill. For I am ill, when I am to see a man that I do not like.”

“I like the Garter; there is no damned merit in it.”

“While you are considering what to do, the man who is not considering has taken the town.”

“Try to be idle. It is astonishing how much you will be able to do.”

“Why can't you let it alone?”

“Things are coming to a pretty pass when religion is allowed to invade private life.”

“Nobody ever did anything very foolish except from some strong principle.”

“The whole duty of a government is to prevent crime and to preserve contracts.”

“What all the wise men promised has not happened, and what all the damned fools said would happen has come to pass.”

“I am for a Cautious, Moderate, Gradual, and Safe Reform.”

“All the practical men I have ever known have been disastrous.”

“The possession of power doesn't increase the aptitude for using it.”

“Be sure, Madam, that you have men about you who will tell you the truth.”

“God help the Minister that meddles with art.”

“Education may be a very good thing, but it is not the main thing.”