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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.

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
Knowledge
Parliament
Fact
Reporters
Yonder
Times
Fourth
Momentous
Facts
Witty
Estate
Three
Figure
Gallery
Important
Figures
Sits
Speech
Literal
Saying
Estates

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Abstract liberty, like other mere abstractions, is not to be found.
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He was not merely a chip off the old block, but the old block itself.
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It may be observed, that very polished languages, and such as are praised for their superior clearness and perspicuity, are generally deficient in strength.
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Gambling is a principle inherent in human nature.
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To make us love our country, our country ought to be lovely.
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The more accurately we search into the human mind, the stronger traces we everywhere find of his wisdom who made it.
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It is the interest of the commercial world that wealth should be found everywhere.
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Frugality is founded on the principal that all riches have limits.
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When slavery is established in any part of the world, those who are free are by far the most proud and jealous of their freedom.
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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.
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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.
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Corrupt influence is itself the perennial spring of all prodigality, and of all disorder it loads us more than millions of debt takes away vigor from our arms, wisdom from our councils, and every shadow of authority and credit from the most venerable parts of our constitution.
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Knowledge of those unalterable Relations which Providence has ordained that every thing should bear to every other...To these we should conform in good Earnest and not think to force Nature, and the whole Order of her System, by a Compliance with our Pride, and Folly, to conform to our artificial Regulations.
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Vice itself lost half its evil, by losing all its grossness.
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People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors.
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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.
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The writers against religion, whilst they oppose every system, are wisely careful never to set up any of their own.
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The true danger is when liberty is nibbled away, for expedience, and by parts.
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The moment you abate anything from the full rights of men to each govern himself, and suffer any artificial positive limitation upon those rights, from that moment the whole organization of government becomes a consideration of convenience.
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Men have no right to what is not reasonable, and to what is not for their benefit.
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