Quote

To give freedom is still more easy. It is not necessary to guide it only requires to let go the rein. But to form a free government that is, to temper together these opposite elements of liberty and restraint in one work, requires much thought, deep reflection, a sagacious, powerful, and combining mind.

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
Work
Form
Elements
Restraint
Much
Thought
Necessary
Temper
Mind
Stills
Deep
Guide
Give
Liberty
Guides
Together
Powerful
Opposite
Sagacious
Still
Freedom
Opposites
Rein
Government
Free
Requires
Reins
Giving
Easy
Reflection
Combining

More quotes by Edmund Burke

Image
Circumspection and caution are part of wisdom.
Edmund Burke
Image
The superfluities of a rich nation furnish a better object of trade than the necessities of a poor one. It is the interest of the commercial world that wealth should be found everywhere.
Edmund Burke
Image
It is, generally, in the season of prosperity that men discover their real temper, principles, and designs.
Edmund Burke
Image
The love of lucre, though sometimes carried to a ridiculous excess, a vicious excess, is the grand cause of prosperity to all States.
Edmund Burke
Image
Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny.
Edmund Burke
Image
Responsibility prevents crimes.
Edmund Burke
Image
The greatest crimes do not arise from a want of feeling for others but from an over-sensibilit y for ourselves and an over-indulgence to our own desires
Edmund Burke
Image
Nnothing tends more to the corruption of science than to suffer it to stagnate. These waters must be troubled, before they can exert their virtues.
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 individual is foolish the multitude, for the moment is foolish, when they act without deliberation but the species is wise, and, when time is given to it, as a species it always acts right.
Edmund Burke
Image
Abstract liberty, like other mere abstractions, is not to be found.
Edmund Burke
Image
Public calamity is a mighty leveller.
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
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
Image
Refined policy ever has been the parent of confusion, and ever will be so as long as the world endures. Plain good intention, which is as easily discovered at the first view as fraud is surely detected at last, is of no mean force in the government of mankind.
Edmund Burke
Image
Next to love, Sympathy is the divinest passion of the human heart.
Edmund Burke
Image
Passion for fame: A passion which is the instinct of all great souls.
Edmund Burke
Image
Society can overlook murder, adultery or swindling it never forgives preaching of a new gospel.
Edmund Burke
Image
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.
Edmund Burke
Image
Tyrants seldom want pretexts.
Edmund Burke