Only in Britain could it be thought a defect to be too clever by half… — John Major

Only in Britain could it be thought a defect to be too clever by half. The probability is that too many people are too stupid by three-quarters.

John MajorPolitician · British · b. 1943

More from John Major

Society needs to condemn a little more and understand a little less. — John Major
Ronnie Barker will forever be remembered as one of the great comic actors. — John Major
The first requirement of politics is not intellect or stamina but patience. Politics is a very long run game and the tortoise will usually beat the hare. — John Major
A consensus politician is someone who does something that he doesn't believe is right because it keeps people quiet when he does it. — John Major
The politician who never made a mistake never made a decision. — John Major
Of course there are regrets. I shall regret always that I found my own authentic voice in politics. I was too conservative, too conventional. Too safe, too often. Too defensive. Too reactive. Later, too often on the back foot. — John Major