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Richard Cobden Quotes

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About Richard Cobden

Richard Cobden (1804-1865), an influential British politician and economist, was born on June 3rd, 1804, in Rochdale, Lancashire. Known for his pioneering work in promoting free trade, Cobden's ideologies significantly shaped the economic policies of Victorian Britain. Influenced by the theories of Adam Smith and David Ricardo, Cobden developed a strong interest in economics at an early age. He began his career as a calico printer but soon turned to journalism, editing various newspapers and using them as platforms for advocating free trade principles. Cobden's political journey commenced with his election to the Parliament of the United Kingdom in 1841 as a member of the Whig Party. However, he is most famously associated with the Anti-Corn Law League, an organization he co-founded in 1846. This group sought to repeal the Corn Laws, which protected domestic grain growers by imposing high tariffs on imported foodstuffs. Cobden's relentless campaigning led to the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846, a monumental victory for free trade that marked one of the most significant events in British economic history. This achievement solidified Cobden's reputation as a champion of economic liberalism and helped establish the foundation for Britain's future dominance in international trade. In addition to his political work, Cobden authored several influential works, including "Intercourse between Great Britain and Ireland" (1832), "The Political Union of Europe" (1849), and "A Sketch of the Origin and Progress of the Anti-Corn Law Agitation" (1846). Richard Cobden passed away on April 21st, 1865. His legacy continues to resonate in the realm of economic policy, with his commitment to free trade serving as a cornerstone for the globalized economy we know today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Ambition is a dream with a Vote of Supremacy."

This quote by Richard Cobden emphasizes that ambition, when coupled with power or authority, transforms a simple dream into a driving force with supreme influence. In other words, ambition, when backed by the ability to make decisions and implement change, becomes more than just a wish - it becomes a powerful determinant of outcomes.

"Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely."

The quote by Richard Cobden, "Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely," implies that as one's influence or control increases, their tendency to act in self-interest rather than for the greater good also grows. In simpler terms, the more power a person has, the greater the potential for them to misuse it due to increased temptations and reduced accountability. This quote serves as a reminder of the importance of checks and balances in power structures to minimize corruption.

"I would rather be right than be Minister."

This quote by Richard Cobden, a British politician and leading free-trade advocate in the 19th century, reflects his personal principles over professional ambition. He chose to uphold his beliefs (being "right") over the prospect of holding a ministerial position ("Minister"). It illustrates a strong moral compass and conviction in one's values. In essence, it suggests that integrity is more important than power or status for Cobden.

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

This quote by Richard Cobden suggests that a country's greatness and moral development can be assessed not just by its political, economic, or social achievements, but also by how it treats its animals. By caring for the welfare of animals, societies demonstrate empathy, compassion, and respect for all living beings. A nation that prioritizes animal treatment reflects a higher level of morality, as it shows concern for the weakest members of society. This interpretation underscores the importance of animal rights and welfare in measuring a nation's moral progress.

"Let England have peace, at any price."

The quote "Let England have peace, at any price" by Richard Cobden reflects a strong desire for national tranquility and stability, to which he is willing to make significant concessions if necessary. This sentiment suggests that maintaining peace is of paramount importance to him and the nation, even if it requires sacrificing other values or interests. The quote underscores a firm belief in diplomacy and compromise as essential tools for achieving lasting peace between nations.

Wars have ever been but another aristocratic mode of plundering and oppressing commerce.

- Richard Cobden

Been, Mode, Ever, Aristocratic

The progress of freedom depends more upon the maintenance of peace, the spread of commerce, and the diffusion of education, than upon the labors of cabinets and foreign offices.

- Richard Cobden

Education, More, Diffusion, Foreign

This great oracle of the East India Company himself admits that, if there is no power vested in the Court of Directors but that of the patronage, there is really no government vested in them at all.

- Richard Cobden

India, Directors, Them, Oracle

From 1836, down to last year, there is no proof of the Government having any confidence in the duration of peace, or possessing increased security against war.

- Richard Cobden

Last, Having, Increased, Possessing

I cannot separate the finances of India from those of England. If the finances of the Indian Government receive any severe and irreparable check, will not the resources of England be called upon to meet the emergency, and to supply the deficiency?

- Richard Cobden

England, Separate, Receive, Deficiency

You may keep Turkey on the map of Europe, you may call the country by the name of Turkey if you like, but do not think you can keep up the Mahommedan rule in the country.

- Richard Cobden

Think, Country, May, Map

I came here as a practical man, to talk, not simply on the question of peace and war, but to treat another question which is of hardly less importance - the enormous and burdensome standing armaments which it is the practice of modern Governments to sustain in time of peace.

- Richard Cobden

Treat, Practice, Here, Hardly

I am no party man in this matter in any degree; and if I have any objection to the motion it is this, that whereas it is a motion to inquire into the manufacturing distress of the country, it should have been a motion to inquire into manufacturing and agricultural distress.

- Richard Cobden

Country, Distress, Inquire, Manufacturing

I have been particularly struck with the overwhelming evidence which is given as to the fitness of the natives of India for high offices and employments.

- Richard Cobden

Been, Which, Given, Natives

I therefore declare, that if you wish any remission of the taxation which falls upon the homes of the people of England and Wales, you can only find it by reducing the great military establishments, and diminishing the money paid to fighting men in time of peace.

- Richard Cobden

Wish, Diminishing, Declare, Remission

The landlords are not agriculturists; that is an abuse of terms which has been too long tolerated.

- Richard Cobden

Abuse, Been, Which, Landlords

I confess that for fifteen years my efforts in education, and my hopes of success in establishing a system of national education, have always been associated with the idea of coupling the education of this country with the religious communities which exist.

- Richard Cobden

Always, Fifteen, Which, Communities

On the contrary, all the world would point to that nation as violating a treaty, by going to war with a country with whom they had engaged to enter into arbitration.

- Richard Cobden

Country, Nation, Engaged, On The Contrary

A newspaper should be the maximum of information, and the minimum of comment.

- Richard Cobden

Newspaper, Should, Maximum, Comment

But it is my happiness to be half Welsh, and that the better half.

- Richard Cobden

Happiness, Better, Half, Welsh

In Holland, they have come to precisely the same conclusion. There they have adopted a system of secular education, because they have found it impracticable to unite the religious bodies in any system of combined religious instruction.

- Richard Cobden

Education, Unite, Religious, Adopted

I am not accustomed to pay fulsome compliments to the English, by telling them that they are superior to all the world; but this I can say, that they do not deserve the name of cowards.

- Richard Cobden

Deserve, Telling, Accustomed

At all events, arbitration is more rational, just, and humane than the resort to the sword.

- Richard Cobden

More, Sword, Humane, Rational

It has been one of my difficulties, in arguing this question out of doors with friends or strangers, that I rarely find any intelligible agreement as to the object of the war.

- Richard Cobden

Agreement, Been, Arguing, Object

For the progress of scientific knowledge will lead to a constant increase of expenditure.

- Richard Cobden

Will, Constant, Expenditure, Increase

Treaties of peace, made after war, are entrusted to individuals to negotiate and carry out.

- Richard Cobden

Peace, Made, Negotiate, Entrusted

I believe it has been said that one copy of The Times contains more useful information than the whole of the historical works of Thucydides.

- Richard Cobden

More, Been, Works, Useful

The problem to solve is, whether a single or a double government would be most advantageous; and, in considering that point, I am met by this difficulty - that I cannot see that the present form of government is a double government at all.

- Richard Cobden

Double, Point, Am, Considering

Luck relies on chance, labor on character.

- Richard Cobden

Character, Luck, Chance, Labor

For every credibility gap there is a gullibility gap.

- Richard Cobden

Gap, Every, Credibility

People who eat potatoes will never be able to perform their abilities in whatever job they choose to have.

- Richard Cobden

Choose, Will, Perform, Potatoes

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