Quote

It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters.

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
Things
Minds
Men
Constitution
Eternal
Intemperate
Passion
Forge
Free
Fetters
Cannot
Ordained
Character
Virtuous
Mind
Passions

More quotes by Edmund Burke

Image
History is a pact between the dead, the living, and the yet unborn.
Edmund Burke
Image
A man is allowed sufficient freedom of thought, provided he knows how to choose his subject properly.... But the scene is changed as you come homeward, and atheism or treason may be the names given in Britain to what would be reason and truth if asserted in China.
Edmund Burke
Image
Among precautions against ambition, it may not be amiss to take precautions against our own. I must fairly say, I dread our own power and our own ambition: I dread our being too much dreaded.
Edmund Burke
Image
The wisdom of our ancestors.
Edmund Burke
Image
When you find me attempting to break into your house to take your plate, under any pretence whatsoever, but most of all under pretence of purity of religion and Christian charity shoot me for a robber and a hypocrite, as in that case I shall certainly be.
Edmund Burke
Image
The traveller has reached the end of the journey!
Edmund Burke
Image
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.
Edmund Burke
Image
Learning will be cast into the mire and trodden down under the hoofs of a swinish multitude.
Edmund Burke
Image
Education is the cheap defense of nations.
Edmund Burke
Image
Beauty in distress is much the most affecting beauty.
Edmund Burke
Image
Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.
Edmund Burke
Image
It is the interest of the commercial world that wealth should be found everywhere.
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
Image
Curiosity is the most superficial of all the affections it changes its object perpetually it has an appetite which is very sharp, but very easily satisfied, and it has always an appearance of giddiness, restlessness and anxiety.
Edmund Burke
Image
To be struck with His power, it is only necessary to open our eyes.
Edmund Burke
Image
They [Americans] augur misgovernment at a distance and snuff the approach of tyranny in every tainted breeze.
Edmund Burke
Image
Oppression makes wise men mad but the distemper is still the madness of the wise, which is better than the sobriety of fools.
Edmund Burke
Image
True religion is the foundation of society. When that is once shaken by contempt, the whole fabric cannot be stable nor lasting.
Edmund Burke
Image
There is a wide difference between admiration and love. The sublime, which is the cause of the former, always dwells on great objects and terrible the latter on small ones and pleasing we submit to what we admire, but we love what submits to us: in one case we are forced, in the other, we are flattered, into compliance.
Edmund Burke
Image
Men love to hear of their power, but have an extreme disrelish to be told their duty.
Edmund Burke