Edmund Burke

Quotes

1. Learning will be cast into the mire and trodden down under the hoofs of a swinish multitude.

   • Knowledge

   p. 335

2. 

   In their nomination to office they will not appoint to the exercise of authority as to a pitiful job, but as to a holy function.

   • Politics
   • Power

   p. 356

3. 

   A state without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation.

   • Politics
   • Change

4. 

   No sound ought to be heard in the church but the healing voice of Christian charity.

   • Religion

5. 

   That chastity of honour which felt a stain like a wound.

   p. 332

6. 

   All persons possessing any portion of power ought to be strongly and awfully impressed with an idea that they act in trust and that they are to account for their conduct in that trust to the one great Master, Author, and Founder of society.

   • Power
   • Responsibility

7. 

   Men who undertake considerable things, even in a regular way, ought to give us ground to presume ability.

8. 

   To execute laws is a royal office; to execute orders is not to be a king. However, a political executive magistracy, though merely such, is a great trust.

   • Politics
   • Power

   p. 497

9. 

   Hypocrisy, of course, delights in the most sublime speculations; for, never intending to go beyond speculation, it costs nothing to have it magnificent.

   • Hypocrisy

10. 

    The unbought grace of life, the cheap defence of nations, the nurse of manly sentiment and heroic enterprise, is gone!

    • Transience

    p. 331

11. 

    'Difficulty is a severe instructor, set over us by the supreme ordinance of a parental Guardian and Legislator, who knows us better than we know ourselves, as he loves us better too. Pater ipse colendi haud facilem esse viam voluit.'' He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.

    • Perseverance

    p. 453

12. 

    No man can mortgage his injustice as a pawn for his fidelity.

    • Justice