Quote

In history, a great volume is unrolled for our instruction, drawing the materials of future wisdom from the past errors and infirmities of mankind.

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
Mankind
Unrolled
Wisdom
Infirmities
Future
Infirmity
History
Volume
Past
Instruction
Great
Errors
Drawing
Materials

More quotes by 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
All the forces of darkness need to succeed ... is for the people to do nothing.
Edmund Burke
Image
Abstract liberty, like other mere abstractions, is not to be found.
Edmund Burke
Image
There are three estates in Parliament but in the Reporters' Gallery yonder there sits a Fourth Estate more important far than they all. It is not a figure of speech or witty saying, it is a literal fact, very momentous to us in these times.
Edmund Burke
Image
The moment that government appears at market, the principles of the market will be subverted.
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
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
The true way to mourn the dead is to take care of the living who belong to them.
Edmund Burke
Image
The writers against religion, whilst they oppose every system, are wisely careful never to set up any of their own.
Edmund Burke
Image
Nothing so effectually deadens the taste of the sublime as that which is light and radiant.
Edmund Burke
Image
Guilt was never a rational thing it distorts all the faculties of the human mind, it perverts them, it leaves a man no longer in the free use of his reason, it puts him into confusion.
Edmund Burke
Image
Though ugliness be the opposite of beauty, it is not the opposite to proportion and fitness for it is possible that a thing may be very ugly with any proportions, and with a perfect fitness for any use.
Edmund Burke
Image
It may be observed, that very polished languages, and such as are praised for their superior clearness and perspicuity, are generally deficient in strength.
Edmund Burke
Image
An extreme rigor is sure to arm everything against it.
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
Contempt is not a thing to be despised.
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
He that borrows the aid of an equal understanding doubles his own he that uses that of a superior elevates his own to the stature of that he contemplates.
Edmund Burke
Image
Power, in whatever hands, is rarely guilty of too strict limitations on itself.
Edmund Burke
Image
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