Quote

For there is in mankind an unfortunate propensity to make themselves, their views and their works, the measure of excellence in every thing whatsoever

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
Measure
Works
Mankind
Views
Thing
Propensity
Every
Whatsoever
Make
Unfortunate
Excellence

More quotes by Edmund Burke

Image
And having looked to Government for bread, on the very first scarcity they will turn and bite the hand that fed them.
Edmund Burke
Image
The essence of tyranny is the enforcement of stupid laws.
Edmund Burke
Image
People crushed by law, have no hopes but from power. If laws are their enemies, they will be enemies to laws and those who have much hope and nothing to lose, will always be dangerous.
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 innovate is not to reform.
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 greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.
Edmund Burke
Image
I cannot conceive how any man can have brought himself to that pitch of presumption, to consider his country as nothing but carte blanche, upon which he may scribble whatever he pleases.
Edmund Burke
Image
A people who are still, as it were, but in the gristle, and not yet hardened into the bone of manhood.
Edmund Burke
Image
What is it we all seek for in an election? To answer its real purposes, you must first possess the means of knowing the fitness of your man and then you must retain some hold upon him by personal obligation or dependence.
Edmund Burke
Image
Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants.
Edmund Burke
Image
It looks to me to be narrow and pedantic to apply the ordinary ideas of criminal justice to this great public contest. I do not know the method of drawing up an indictment against a whole people.
Edmund Burke
Image
Among a people generally corrupt liberty cannot long exist.
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
Good order is the foundation of all things.
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
We set ourselves to bite the hand that feeds us.
Edmund Burke
Image
To speak of atrocious crime in mild language is treason to virtue.
Edmund Burke
Image
In a free country every man thinks he has a concern in all public matters,--that he has a right to form and a right to deliver an opinion on them. This it is that fills countries with men of ability in all stations.
Edmund Burke
Image
Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver and adulation is not of more service to the people than to kings.
Edmund Burke