Quote

Poetry is the art of substantiating shadows, and of lending existence to nothing.

Edmund Burke

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Edmund Burke
Age: 68 †
Born: 1729
Born: January 12
Died: 1797
Died: July 9
Philosopher
Politician
Statesman
Writer
Dublin city
Nothing
Lending
Borrowing
Shadows
Shadow
Poetry
Existence
Art

More quotes by Edmund Burke

Image
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
Image
Turbulent, discontented men of quality, in proportion as they are puffed up with personal pride and arrogance, generally despise their own order.
Edmund Burke
Image
That cardinal virtue, temperance.
Edmund Burke
Image
Early and provident fear is the mother of safety.
Edmund Burke
Image
Gambling is a principle inherent in human nature.
Edmund Burke
Image
The first and simplest emotion which we discover in the human mind, is curiosity.
Edmund Burke
Image
We set ourselves to bite the hand that feeds us.
Edmund Burke
Image
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
Image
Evils we have had continually calling for reformation, and reformations more grievous than any evils.
Edmund Burke
Image
The arrogance of age must submit to be taught by youth.
Edmund Burke
Image
Ambition can creep as well as soar.
Edmund Burke
Image
Circumstances give in reality to every political principle its distinguishing color and discriminating effect. The circumstances are what render every civil and political scheme beneficial or noxious to mankind.
Edmund Burke
Image
Freedom without virtue is not freedom but license to pursue whatever passions prevail in the intemperate mind man's right to freedom being in exact proportion to his willingness to put chains upon his own appetites the less restraint from within, the more must be imposed from without.
Edmund Burke
Image
It is known that the taste--whatever it is--is improved exactly as we improve our judgment, by extending our knowledge, by a steady attention to our object, and by frequent exercise.
Edmund Burke
Image
It is for the most part in our skill in manners, and in the observations of time and place and of decency in general, that what is called taste by way of distinction consists and which is in reality no other than a more refined judgment.
Edmund Burke
Image
Freedom and not servitude is the cure of anarchy as religion, and not atheism, is the true remedy of superstition.
Edmund Burke
Image
The whole compass of the language is tried to find sinonimies [synonyms] and circumlocutions for massacres and murder. Things never called by their common names. Massacre is sometimes called agitation, sometimes effervescence, sometimes excess sometimes too continued an exercise of revolutionary power.
Edmund Burke
Image
When ancient opinions and rules of life are taken away, the loss cannot possibly be estimated. From that moment, we have no compass to govern us, nor can we know distinctly to what port to steer.
Edmund Burke
Image
The traveller has reached the end of the journey!
Edmund Burke
Image
When the leaders choose to make themselves bidders at an auction of popularity, their talents, in the construction of the state, will be of no service. They will become flatterers instead of legislators the instruments, not the guides, of the people.
Edmund Burke