“I love those reformations that prevent revolutions, by keeping pace with the gradual progress of reason and knowledge.”

— Horace Walpole, Walpoliana (1799; 1825 printing), 'Atheism the Offspring of Fanaticism', p. 10

About Horace Walpole

1717 – 1797

English writer and politician, author of "The Castle of Otranto" and a prolific correspondent.

“The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel.”

“It always amazes me, when I reflect on the women, who are the first to propagate scandal of one another.”

“It appears to me as odd to write to you of St. Peter's, as it would do to you to write of Westminster-abbey.”

“Learn to know thy heart, And, as the times, so let thy manners change, For by the law of change a new God rules.”

“They who know the truth are not equal to those who love it, and they who love it are not equal to those who delight in it.”

“Science is not the truth. Science is finding the truth. When science changes its opinion, it didn't lie to you.”

“Love is ever the beginning of Knowledge as fire is of light.”

“Only he who has measured the dominion of force, and knows how not to respect it, is capable of love and justice.”

“I was thinking what a curious thing love is; only a sentiment, and yet it has power to make fools of men and slaves of women.”