He was not merely a chip of the old block, but the old block itself.
Source: Referring to William Pitt the Younger's first speech in the House of Commons, 26 Feb 1781. Attrib.
-- Edmund Burke, (Jan 12 1729-1797), English statesman, orator; He was a prominent political thinker in public life from 1765-1795 who was much admired by American conservatives.