Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston quotes - page 2

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston was a British statesman who served twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Known for his assertive foreign policy and role in shaping Victorian-era diplomacy, he was a dominant figure in 19th-century British politics. He helped define Britain’s position as a leading global power during his tenure. Here are 69 of his quotes:

It is difficult not to come to the conclusion that the rabid hatred of England which animates the exiled Irishmen who direct almost all the Northern newspapers, will so excite the masses as to make it impossible for Lincoln and Seward to grant our demands; and we must therefore look forward to war as the probable result.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

Gladstone will soon have it all his own way; and, whenever he gets my place, we shall have strange doings...He is a dangerous man, keep him in Oxford, and he is partially muzzled; but send him elsewhere, and he will run wild.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

The Beer Shops licensed to have the Beer drunk on the Premises, are a Pest to the Community. They are Haunts of Thieves and Schools for Prostitutes. They demoralize the lower Classes. I wish you would turn your mind to consider Whether this Evil could not be abated. That Beer should be sold like anything Else, to be taken away by the Purchaser to be consumed at Home is most reasonable and the more People are enabled so to supply the labouring Classes the better, but the words "licensed to be drunk on the Premises” are by the common People interpreted as applicable to the Customers as well as to the Liquor, and well do they avail themselves of the License.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

Great Britain is in a better state than at any former time to inflict a severe blow upon and to read a lesson to the United States which will not soon be forgotten.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

You have obtained the Cession of Hong Kong, a barren Island with hardly a House upon it... it seems obvious that Hong Kong will not be the Mart of Trade... it is impossible that you should continue to hold your appointment in China.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

What business is it of ours to ask whether the French nation thinks proper to be governed by a king, an emperor, a president, or a consul? Our object and our duty is to cement the closest ties of friendship between ourselves and our nearest neighbour... There is nothing, I am convinced, in the real interests of England and France which can stand in the way of the most cordial friendship between the two nations.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

Now the English nation is able to make war, but it will only do so where its own interests are concerned. We are a simple and practical nation, a commercial nation; we do not go in for chivalrous enterprises or fight for others as the French do.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

Governments are not at liberty to act solely from motives of generous sympathy for the sufferings of an oppressed people, they are bound by the severer rules of general principles, to respect rights which are inherent in other nations.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

[I]f they were negotiating with a foreign country on a matter which might threaten war, it was so far from embarrassing the negotiation, that it would strengthen it, to place ourselves in a position to repel any sudden and unforeseen attack.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

[I]f anything were calculated to render permanent and secure our friendly relations with great neighbouring Powers, it was the placing ourselves in a position of security against any sudden or unforeseen attack. There was no complete security for friendly relations between different countries, except in a state of mutual defence.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

Mr. Gladstone's Doctrine which the Observer praised that every sane man has a moral Right to vote goes straight to universal suffrage which not even the most vehement Reformer has hitherto advocated. Moreover if every sane Man has that Right why does it not also belong to every sane woman Who is equally affected by Legislation and Taxation. The Truth is that a vote is not a Right but a Trust. All the Nation cannot by Possibility be brought together to vote and therefore a Selected few are appointed by Law to perform this Function for the Rest and the Publicity attached to the Performance of this Trust is a Security that it will be responsibly performed.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

As to tenant-right, I may be allowed to say that I think it is equivalent to landlords' wrong.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

That's Article 98; now go on to the next.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

Die, my dear doctor! That's the last thing I shall do!

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

I am satisfied that the interest of England is the Polar star-the guiding principle of the conduct of the Government; and I defy any man to show, by any act of mine, that any other principle has directed my conduct, or that I have had any other object in view than the interests of the country to which I belong.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

It may be depended on that there is no better security for peace between nations than the conviction that each must respect the other, that each is capable of defending itself, and that no insult or injury committed by the one against the other would pass unresented.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

I am firmly persuaded that among nations, weakness will never be a foundation for security.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

There is no doubt that all nations are aggressive; it is the nature of man.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

But he came not here a bigoted polemic, with religious tracts in one hand, and civil persecution in the other; he came to regenerate and avenge the prostrate and insulted liberties of England; he came with peace and toleration on his lips, and with civil and religious liberty in his heart.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

Proneness to changes and fondness for experiment have never been the character of the English nation.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

We ought to teach the weaker Powers to hope that they will receive the support of this country in their time of danger. Powerful countries should be taught to fear that they will be resisted by England in any unjust acts either towards ourselves or towards those who are bound in ties of amity with us.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston

It seems to me that the system of purchasing temporary security by lasting sacrifices, and of placing the interests of Foreign Ministries above those of this country, is one that never can be worked out with advantage either to the honour of this country, or to that of the Administration which pursues such a course.

Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston