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]