William Pitt the Younger: Quotes about homeland

“We must not count with certainty on a continuance of our present prosperity during such an interval [15 years]; but unquestionably there never was a time in the history of this country when, from the situation of Europe, we might more reasonably expect fifteen years of peace, than we may at the present moment.”

William Pitt the Younger

"The War Speeches of William Pitt", Oxford University Press, 1915, p. 16
Speech in the House of Commons, 17 February 1792, introducing the Budget. His prediction was a vain hope.

Peace , History , Time , Country

“What I have now offered is meant merely for the sake of my country, for the simple question is: will you change your Ministers and keep the Empire, or keep your Ministers and lose the Kingdom?”

William Pitt the Younger

William Cobbett, "Parliamentary History".
Speech in the House of Commons, supporting a motion of censure on the government of Lord North, 15 March 1782.

Question , Change , Country

“We learn with concern, that not only a spirit of tumult and disorder has shown itself in acts of insurrection, which required the interposition of a military force in support of the civil magistrate, but that the industry employed to excite discontent has appeared to proceed from a design to attempt, in concert with persons in foreign countries, the destruction of our happy constitution, and the subversion of all order of government.”

William Pitt the Younger

Address in Reply, 13 December 1792. Parl Hist xxx, 6.
"The Great Melody", biography of Burke by Conor Cruise O'Brien, p. 493.

Support , Learning , Appearance , Personality

“The amount of our danger, therefore, it would be impolitic to conceal from the people. It was the first duty of ministers to make it known, and after doing so, it should have been their study to provide against it, and to point out the means to the country by which it might be averted.”

William Pitt the Younger

"The War Speeches of William Pitt", Oxford University Press, 1915, p. 314
Speech in the House of Commons, 18 July 1803, opposing a vote of censure on his successor Henry Addington.

People , Study , Country

“Oh my country! How I love my country!”

William Pitt the Younger

Last words.
Lord Stanhope, Life of the Right Honourable William Pitt https://archive.org/stream/liferighthonour04stangoog/liferighthonour04stangoog_djvu.txt
Lord Rosebery reports it as "my country! how I leave my country!" in Pitt https://archive.org/stream/pittrose00roseuoft/pittrose00roseuoft_djvu.txt (London: Macmillan, 1891), and attributes "O my country! How I love my country!" to Benjamin Disraeli.
See also Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, pg 456.

Love , Country