1860-1954, Dean of St Paul's, London
A man may build himself a throne of bayonets, but he can't sit on it.
Dean William R. Inge – [Revolutions and Revolutionaries]
Consciousness is a phase of mental life which arises in connection with the formation of new habits. When habit is formed, consciousness only interferes to spoil our performance.
Dean William R. Inge – [Consciousness]
Every institution not only carries within it the seeds of its own dissolution, but prepares the way for its most hated rival.
Dean William R. Inge – [Institutions]
How to gain, how to keep, how to recover happiness is in fact for most men at all times the secret motive o all they do, and of all they are willing to endure.
Dean William R. Inge – [Action]
I think middle-age is the best time, if we can escape the fatty degeneration of the conscience which often sets in at about fifty.
Dean William R. Inge – [Age and Aging]
In dealing with Englishmen you can be sure of one thing only, that the logical solution will not be adopted.
Dean William R. Inge – [Nationalities and Nationalism]
It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favor of vegetarianism, while the wolf remains of a different opinion.
Dean William R. Inge – [Peace]
Let us remember, when we are inclined to be disheartened, that the private soldier is a poor judge of the fortunes of a great battle.
Dean William R. Inge – [Judgment and Judges]
Literature flourishes best when it is half trade and half an art.
Dean William R. Inge – [Literature]
Public opinion, a vulgar, impertinent, anonymous tyrant who deliberately makes life unpleasant for anyone who is not content to the average person.
Dean William R. Inge – [Opinions]
There are no rewards or punishments — only consequences.
Dean William R. Inge – [Consequences]
There are two kinds of fools: One says, ''This is old therefore it is good.'' The other one says, ''This is new therefore it is better.''
Dean William R. Inge – [Change]
To become a popular religion, it is only necessary for a superstition to enslave a philosophy.
Dean William R. Inge – [Religion]
What is originality? Undetected plagiarism.
Dean William R. Inge – [Plagiarism]
Whoever marries the spirit of this age will find himself a widower in the next.
Dean William R. Inge – [Society]
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it falls due.
Dean William R. Inge – [Trouble]