Lord Palmerston

"Good intentions without good results are merely sentimentality."

"The world respects power, but power must be exercised with restraint."

"A government should be judged by its actions, not its promises."

"England expects every man to do his duty."

"The advance of civilization is the advance of knowledge."

"Men are moved by interest far more than by principle."

"A stable world requires stable governments."

"Justice delayed is justice denied."

"The proper study of mankind is the past, present, and future of nations."

"Power without responsibility is the prerogative of the harlot throughout the ages."

"A nation's prosperity is built upon the hard work of its people."

"The greatest enemy of truth is not the lie, but the half-truth."

"Experience is the best teacher of nations as well as men."

"A government exists to serve the people, not to govern them."

"The future of Britain lies in the character and determination of her people."

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'nice doggie' while you find a bigger stick."

"A man without convictions is not worth listening to."

"The world is governed by very different personages from what is imagined by those who are not behind the scenes."

"Success is the combination of ability and opportunity working together."

"A nation that loses its sense of purpose loses its way."

"The measure of any civilization is what it does with its power."

"Britain's role is not to dominate others, but to be an example to them."

"In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the stream."

"The man who never made a mistake never tried anything new."

"A great nation must be willing to defend its principles."

"The test of wisdom is to know when to fight and when to yield."

"A government should promote the general welfare and protect individual liberty."

"The strength of character is more important than the strength of arms."

"History is the judge of nations and their leaders."

"A wise leader learns from the mistakes of others."