Men and not measures are, no doubt, the very life of politics.
 Anthony Trollope, Phineas Redux (1874). copy citation

add
Author Anthony Trollope
Source Phineas Redux
Topic politics doubt
Date 1874
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/18640/18640-h/18640-h.htm

Context

“Great satisfaction is felt by us because by some lucky conjunction of affairs our man, whom we never saw, is made Lord-Lieutenant of a county, instead of another man, of whom we know as little. It is a great thing to us that Sir Samuel Bobwig, an excellent Liberal, is seated high on the bench of justice, instead of that time-serving Conservative, Sir Alexander McSilk. Men and not measures are, no doubt, the very life of politics. But then it is not the fashion to say so in public places. Mr. Gresham was determined to introduce that fashion on the present occasion. He did not think very much of Mr. Daubeny's Bill. So he told his friends at the Duke's house.” source