Quote

There is no safety for honest men, but by believing all possible evil of evil men, and by acting with promptitude, decision, and steadiness on that belief.

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
Evil
Believing
Believe
Safety
Men
Honest
Decision
Wisdom
Possible
Belief
Acting
Steadiness

More quotes by Edmund Burke

Image
There is a boundary to men's passions when they act from feelings but none when they are under the influence of imagination.
Edmund Burke
Image
Evil prevails when good men fail to act.
Edmund Burke
Image
Abstract liberty, like other mere abstractions, is not to be found.
Edmund Burke
Image
When slavery is established in any part of the world, those who are free are by far the most proud and jealous of their freedom.
Edmund Burke
Image
Those who attempt to level never equalize
Edmund Burke
Image
One source of the sublime is infinity.
Edmund Burke
Image
Over-taxation cost England her colonies of North America.
Edmund Burke
Image
One that confounds good and evil is an enemy to good.
Edmund Burke
Image
You had that action and counteraction which, in the natural and in the political world, from the reciprocal struggle of discordant powers draws out the harmony of the universe.
Edmund Burke
Image
Politics ought to be adjusted not to human reasonings but to human nature, of which reason is but a part and by no means the greatest part.
Edmund Burke
Image
Religion is among the most powerful causes of enthusiasm.
Edmund Burke
Image
A jealous lover lights his torch from the firebrand of the fiend.
Edmund Burke
Image
It is by sympathy we enter into the concerns of others, that we are moved as they are moved, and are never suffered to be indifferent spectators of almost anything which men can do or suffer. For sympathy may be considered as a sort of substitution, by which we are put into the place of another man, and affected in many respects as he is affected.
Edmund Burke
Image
If any ask me what a free government is, I answer, that, for any practical purpose, it is what the people think so,and that they, and not I, are the natural, lawful, and competent judges of this matter.
Edmund Burke
Image
No men can act with effect who do not act in concert no men can act in concert who do not act with confidence no men can act with confidence who are not bound together with common opinions, common affections, and common interests.
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
The science of constructing a commonwealth, or renovating it, or reforming it, is, like every other experimental science, not to be taught a priori. Nor is it a short experience that can instruct us in that practical science, because the real effects of moral causes are not always immediate.
Edmund Burke
Image
All virtue which is impracticable is spurious.
Edmund Burke
Image
All the forces of darkness need to succeed ... is for the people to do nothing.
Edmund Burke
Image
I take toleration to be a part of religion. I do not know which I would sacrifice I would keep them both: it is not necessary that I should sacrifice either.
Edmund Burke