Edmund Burke Quotes

Where two motives, neither of them perfectly justifiable, may be assigned, the worst has the chance of being preferred.

There never was a bad man that had ability for good service.

Is it in destroying and pulling down that skill is displayed? The shallowest understanding, the rudest hand, is more than equal to that task.

Education is a nation's cheapest defence

I would rather sleep in the southern corner of a little country churchyard than in the tomb of the Capulets.

The same sun which gilds all nature, and exhilarates the whole creation, does not shine upon disappointed ambition.

The most favourable laws can do very little towards the happiness of people when the disposition of the ruling power is adverse to them.

Sallust is indisputably one of the best historians among the Romans, both for the purity of his language and the elegance of his style.

The moment that government appears at market, the principles of the market will be subverted.

Futurity is the great concern of mankind.

It is undoubtedly true, though it may seem paradoxical,--but, in general, those who are habitually employed in finding and displaying faults are unqualified for the work of reformation.

Neither the few nor the many have a right to act merely by their will, in any matter connected with duty, trust, engagement, or obligation.

A thing may look specious in theory, and yet be ruinous in practice; a thing may look evil in theory, and yet be in practice excellent.

Nothing less will content me, than wholeAmerica.

Spain: A whale stranded upon the coast of Europe.

By looking into physical causes our minds are opened and enlarged; and in this pursuit, whether we take or whether we lose the game, the chase is certainly of service.

Over-taxation cost England her colonies of North America.

Old religious factions are volcanoes burnt out.

Man acts from adequate motives relative to his interest, and not on metaphysical speculations.

Prejudice renders a man's virtue his habit, and a series of unconnected arts. Though just prejudice, his duty becomes a part of his nature.

Depend upon it that the lovers of freedom will be free.

Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods." (1794)]

Woman is not made to be the admiration of all, but the happiness of one.

The human mind is often, and I think it is for the most part, in a state neither of pain nor pleasure, which I call a state of indifference.

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

Among a people generally corrupt, liberty cannot long exist.

Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting.

Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.

People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors.

It is our ignorance of things that causes all our admiration and chiefly excites our passions.

Society is indeed a contract ... it becomes a participant not only between those who are living, those who are dead, and those who are to be born.

If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free. If our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed.

All That Is Needed For Evil To Succeeded, Is For Good People To Do Nothing

All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.

History is the preceptor of prudence, not principles.

It is generally, in the season of prosperity that men discover their real temper, principles and design.

A representative owes not just his industry but his judgement

Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the

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

Adversity is a severe instructor. ... He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.

Mere parsimony is not economy . . . expense and great expense may be an essential part of true economy.

All government - indeed every human benefit and enjoyment every virtue and every prudent act - is founded on compromise and barter.

Never despair but if you do work on in despair.

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

Well is it known that ambition can creep as well as soar.

I would rather sleep in the southern corner of a little country churchyard than in the tombs of the Capulets.

History is a pact between the dead the living and the yet unborn.

The cold neutrality of an impartial judge.

The effect of liberty on individuals is that they may do what they please: we ought to see what it will please them to do before we risk congratulations.

There is a courageous wisdom there is also a false reptile prudence the result not of caution but of fear.