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Quote#Politics & Power

Now, take as an illustration the Rock of Gibraltar. Many of you have…

Quote byJohn Bright · 1811–1889

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Speech in Birmingham (18 December 1862), Speeches on Questions of Public Policy, Volume I, (1869), p. 214.

English (original)

Now, take as an illustration the Rock of Gibraltar. Many of you have been there, I dare say. I have; and among the things that interested me were the monkeys on the top of it, and a good many people at the bottom, who were living on English taxes. Well, the Rock of Gibraltar was taken and retained when we were not at war with Spain, and it was retained contrary to every law of morality and honour.

— John Bright

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