Quote by H. G. [Herbert George] Wells
In England we have come to rely upon a comfortable time-lag of fifty years or a century intervening between the perception that something ought to be done and a serious attempt to do it.

Summary
This quote suggests that in England, there is a tendency to delay taking action on important matters. The speaker highlights a time-lag of fifty years or even a century between recognizing the need for change and actually making a sincere effort to address it. The quote points to a hesitancy or resistance towards prompt action, implying a preference for gradual and measured progress.