I have passed the great part of my life in criticising and condemning the existing rulers and institutions of my country: I think it is infinitely the most patriotic thing that a man can do.

I have no illusions either about our past or our present.

_I_ think our whole history in Ireland has been a vulgar and ignorant hatred of the crucifix, expressed by a crucifixion.

I think the South African War was a dirty work which we did under the whips of moneylenders.

I think Mitchelstown was a disgrace; I think Denshawi was a devilry.
Yet there is one part of life and history in which I would assert the absolute spotlessness of England.