I do not mean to be disrespectful, but the attempt of the Lords
to stop the progress of reform, read more

I do not mean to be disrespectful, but the attempt of the Lords
to stop the progress of reform, reminds me very forcibly of the
great storm of Sidmouth, and of the conduct of the excellent Mrs.
Partington on that occasion. In the winter of 1824, there set in
a great flood upon that town--the tide rose to an incredible
height: the waves rushed in upon the houses, and everything was
threatened with destruction. In the midst of this sublime and
terrible storm, Dame Partington, who lived upon the beach, was
seen at the door of her house with mop and pattens, trundling her
mop, squeezing out the sea water, and vigorously pushing away the
Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic was roused. Mrs. Partington's
spirit was up; but I need not tell you that the contest was
unequal. The Atlantic Ocean beat Mrs. Partington. She was
excellent at a slop or a puddle, but she should not have meddled
with a tempest.

All zeal for a reform, that gives offence
To peace and charity, is mere pretence.

All zeal for a reform, that gives offence
To peace and charity, is mere pretence.

The Bolshevists would blow up the fabric with high explosive,
with horror. Others would pull down with the crowbars read more

The Bolshevists would blow up the fabric with high explosive,
with horror. Others would pull down with the crowbars and with
cranks--especially with cranks. . . . Sweating, slums, the sense
of semi-slavery in labour, must go. We must cultivate a sense of
manhood by treating men as men.

The best reformers the world has ever seen are those who commence on themselves

The best reformers the world has ever seen are those who commence on themselves

Reform must come from within, not from without. You cannot legislate for virtue.

Reform must come from within, not from without. You cannot legislate for virtue.

All reformers are bachelors.

All reformers are bachelors.

A conservative is someone who believes in reform. But not now.

A conservative is someone who believes in reform. But not now.

One of the greatest delusions in the world is the hope that the evils in this world are to be read more

One of the greatest delusions in the world is the hope that the evils in this world are to be cured by legislation.

To reform a man, you must begin with his grandmother.

To reform a man, you must begin with his grandmother.