A doctrinaire is a fool but an honest man.
Lord Melbourne

I wish I was as cocksure of anything as Tom Macaulay is of everything.
Lord Melbourne

It is not much matter which we say, but mind, we must all say the same.
Lord Melbourne

It wounds a man less to confess that he has failed in any pursuit through idleness, neglect, the love of pleasure, etc., etc., which are his own faults, than through incapacity and unfitness, which are the faults of his nature.
Lord Melbourne

My esoteric doctrine, is that if you entertain any doubt, it is safest to take the unpopular side in the first instance. Transit from the unpopular, is easy... but from the popular to the unpopular is so steep and rugged that it is impossible to maintain it.
Lord Melbourne

Nobody ever did anything very foolish except from some strong principle.
Lord Melbourne

Once is orthodox, twice is puritanical.
Lord Melbourne

That is no use at all. What I want is men who will support me when I am in the wrong.
Lord Melbourne

The whole duty of government is to prevent crime and to preserve contracts.
Lord Melbourne

Things are coming to a pretty pass when religion is allowed to invade private life.
Lord Melbourne