Edmund Burke
Edmund Burke
Edmund Burkewas an Irish statesman born in Dublin, as well as an author, orator, political theorist, and philosopher who, after moving to London, served as a member of parliamentfor many years in the House of Commons with the Whig Party...
NationalityIrish
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth12 January 1729
CountryIreland
law justice mystery
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?
liberty abstract found
Abstract liberty, like other mere abstractions, is not to be found.
exalted general opinion paper virtue
I have in general no very exalted opinion of the virtue of paper government.
anxious error general loudest public suppose welfare
It is a general error to suppose the loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for its welfare
antagonist compels conflict consider difficulty helps intimate suffer
He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper. This amicable conflict with difficulty helps us to an intimate acquaintance with our object, and compels us to consider it in all its relations. It will not suffer us to be superficial.
advances business divinity doctors greater hard law lucrative whether
It is hard to say whether the doctors of law or divinity have made the greater advances in the lucrative business of mystery.
direct discretion finest individual itself ought problems state
It is one of the finest problems in legislation, what the state ought to take upon itself to direct and what it ought to leave, with as little interference as possible, to individual discretion
evil good man necessary
It is necessary only for the good man to do nothing for evil to triumph.
commercial everywhere found interest wealth
It is in the interest of the commercial world that wealth should be found everywhere
crushed enemies hope laws legal lose people power
People crushed by laws, have no hope but to evade power. If the laws are their enemies, they will be enemies to the law; and those who have most to hope and nothing to lose will always be dangerous.
fits handle
Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle which fits them all.
insects loud though
The little, meagre, shrivelled, hopping, though loud and troublesome insects of the hour.
founded frugality limits principle riches
Frugality is founded on the principle that all riches have limits
arises good mischief words
A very good part of the mischief that vex the world arises from words