Quote

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

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
Time
Wise
Moment
Individual
Deliberation
Given
Multitude
Moments
Multitudes
Without
Acts
Right
Foolish
Always
Species

More quotes by Edmund Burke

Image
A nation is not conquered which is perpetually to be conquered.
Edmund Burke
Image
Vice incapacitates a man from all public duty it withers the powers of his under- standing, and makes his mind paralytic.
Edmund Burke
Image
Whenever government abandons law, it proclaims anarchy.
Edmund Burke
Image
To govern according to the sense and agreement of the interests of the people is a great and glorious object of governance. This object cannot be obtained but through the medium of popular election, and popular election is a mighty evil.
Edmund Burke
Image
I am not one of those who think that the people are never in the wrong. They have been so, frequently and outrageously, both in other countries and in this. But I do say that in all disputes between them and their rulers, the presumption is at least upon a par in favour of the people.
Edmund Burke
Image
A good parson once said that where mystery begins religion ends. Cannot I say, as truly at least, of human laws, that where mystery begins justice ends?
Edmund Burke
Image
The great difference between the real leader and the pretender is that the one sees into the future, while the other regards only the present the one lives by the day, and acts upon expediency the other acts on enduring principles and for the immortality.
Edmund Burke
Image
My vigour relents. I pardon something to the spirit of liberty.
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
Gambling is a principle inherent in human nature.
Edmund Burke
Image
Men have no right to put the well-being of the present generation wholly out of the question. Perhaps the only moral trust with any certainty in our hands is the care of our own time.
Edmund Burke
Image
Pleasure of every kind quickly satisfies.
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
Restraint and discipline and examples of virtue and justice. These are the things that form the education of the world.
Edmund Burke
Image
Applaud us when we run, Console us when we fall, Cheer us when we recover.
Edmund Burke
Image
Man is an animal that cooks his victuals.
Edmund Burke
Image
Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.
Edmund Burke
Image
Facts are to the mind what food is to the body.
Edmund Burke
Image
Nothing in progression can rest on its original plan. We may as well think of rocking a grown man in the cradle of an infant.
Edmund Burke
Image
It is the nature of tyranny and rapacity never to learn moderation from the ill-success of first oppressions on the contrary, all oppressors, all men thinking highly of the methods dictated by their nature, attribute the frustration of their desires to the want of sufficient rigor.
Edmund Burke