Quotes · Skopia

44 quotes

Speech in House of Commons, February 11, 1780 · 1780

★ 1.2

I am not one of those who think that the people are never in the wrong. They have been so, frequently and outrageously, both in other countries and in this. But I do say, that in all disputes between them and their rulers, the presumption is at least upon a par in favour of the people.

Edmund Burke

1770

★ 1.9

Letter

The true danger is when liberty is nibbled away, for expedients, and by parts.

Edmund Burke

1777

★ 1.9

Political literature

Society is indeed a contract... As the ends of such a partnership cannot be obtained in many generations, it becomes a partnership not only between those who are living, but between those who are living, those who are dead, and those who are to be born.

Edmund Burke

Reflections on the Revolution in France · 1790

★ 1.9

Speech · Political speech

The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.

Edmund Burke

1771

★ 2.0

Letter

Liberty, too, must be limited in order to be possessed.

Edmund Burke

1777

★ 2.0

Speech · Political speech

Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny.

Edmund Burke

Speech at the Bristol Guildhall, September 6, 1780 · 1780

★ 2.0

Political literature

He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.

Edmund Burke

Reflections on the Revolution in France · 1790

★ 2.0

Political literature

Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants. Men have a right that these wants should be provided for by this wisdom.

Edmund Burke

Reflections on the Revolution in France · 1790

★ 2.0

Letter

Ambition can creep as well as soar.

Edmund Burke

1797

★ 2.0

Pamphlet · Political literature

We must soften into a credulity below the milkiness of infancy, to think all men virtuous. We must be tainted with a malignity truly diabolical, to believe all the world to be equally wicked and corrupt.

Edmund Burke

1770

★ 3.5

Pamphlet · Political literature

To complain of the age we live in, to murmur at the present possessors of power, to lament the past, to conceive extravagant hopes of the future, are the common dispositions of the greatest part of mankind.

Edmund Burke

1770

★ 3.5

Speech · Political speech

The use of force alone is but temporary. It may subdue for a moment; but it does not remove the necessity of subduing again: and a nation is not governed which is perpetually to be conquered.

Edmund Burke

On Conciliation with America · 1775

★ 3.5

Speech · Political speech

There is but one law for all, namely, that law which governs all law, the law of our Creator, the law of humanity, justice, equity, — the Law of Nature and of Nations.

Edmund Burke

1794

★ 3.5

Open letter · Letter

The law touches us but here and there, and now and then. Manners are what vex or soothe, corrupt or purify, exalt or debase, barbarize or refine us, by a constant, steady, uniform, insensible operation, like that of the air we breathe in.

Edmund Burke

1796

★ 3.5

Open letter · Letter · Political literature

Manners are of more importance than laws... Manners are what vex or soothe, corrupt or purify, exalt or debase, barbarize or refine us, by a constant, steady, uniform, insensible operation, like that of the air we breathe in. They give their whole form and color to our lives.

Edmund Burke

1796

★ 3.5

Philosophical literature

No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear.

Edmund Burke

Philosophical Enquiry in the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful · 1757

★ 3.6

Political literature

Laws, like houses, lean on one another.

Edmund Burke

1760

★ 3.6

Pamphlet · Political literature

It is a general popular error to imagine the loudest complainers for the public, to be the most anxious for its welfare.

Edmund Burke

1769

★ 3.6

Speech · Political speech

Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgement; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.

Edmund Burke

1774

★ 3.6

Show 20 more of 44 (21–40)

Sourced and curated.