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Continue to instruct the world and - whilst we carry on a poor unequal conflict with the passions and prejudices of our day, perhaps with no better weapons than other passions and prejudices of our own - convey wisdom to future generations.

Edmund Burke

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Edmund Burke
Age: 68 †
Born: 1729
Born: January 12
Died: 1797
Died: July 9
Philosopher
Politician
Statesman
Writer
Dublin city
Better
Weapons
Whilst
World
Generations
Convey
Perhaps
Prejudices
Wisdom
Passions
Passion
Prejudice
Poor
Carry
Future
Continue
Instruct
History
Conflict
Unequal

More quotes by Edmund Burke

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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.
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Genuine simplicity of heart is a healing and cementing principle.
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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.
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The essence of tyranny is the enforcement of stupid laws.
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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.
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Custom reconciles us to everything.
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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.
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Turn over a new leaf.
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Law and arbitrary power are at eternal enmity.
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Under the pressure of the cares and sorrows of our mortal condition, men have at all times, and in all countries, called in some physical aid to their moral consolations - wine, beer, opium, brandy, or tobacco.
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Society can overlook murder, adultery or swindling it never forgives preaching of a new gospel.
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This sort of people are so taken up with their theories about the rights of man that they have totally forgotten his nature.
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My vigour relents. I pardon something to the spirit of liberty.
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To innovate is not to reform.
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It is an advantage to all narrow wisdom and narrow morals that their maxims have a plausible air and, on a cursory view, appear equal to first principles. They are light and portable. They are as current as copper coin and about as valuable.
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The power of perpetuating our property in our families is one of the most valuable and interesting circumstances belonging to it, and that which tends the most to the perpetuation of society itself.
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They [Americans] augur misgovernment at a distance and snuff the approach of tyranny in every tainted breeze.
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They never will love where they ought to love, who do not hate where they ought to hate.
Edmund Burke
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Manners are of more importance than laws. Manners are what vex or soothe, corrupt or purify, exalt or debase, barbarize or refine us, by a constant, steady, uniform, insensible operation, like that of the air we breathe.
Edmund Burke
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The moment that government appears at market, the principles of the market will be subverted.
Edmund Burke