The effect of liberty to individuals is that they may do what they please: we ought to see what it will please them to do, before we risk congratulations.

Quote by Edmund Burke

Topics: Edmund Burke Quotes

Custom reconciles us to everything.

Custom reconciles us to everything.

Laws, like houses, lean on one another.

Laws, like houses, lean on one another.

Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises, for never intending to go beyond...

Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises, for never intending to go beyond...

If you can be well without health, you may be happy without virtue.

If you can be well without health, you may be happy without virtue.

It is, generally, in the season of prosperity that men discover their real temper, principles,...

It is, generally, in the season of prosperity that men discover their real temper, principles,...

And having looked to Government for bread, on the very first scarcity they will turn...

And having looked to Government for bread, on the very first scarcity they will turn...

It is the interest of the commercial world that wealth should be found everywhere.

It is the interest of the commercial world that wealth should be found everywhere.

It is not what a lawyer tells me I may do; but what humanity, reason,...

It is not what a lawyer tells me I may do; but what humanity, reason,...

There is a courageous wisdom; there is also a false, reptile prudence, the result not...

There is a courageous wisdom; there is also a false, reptile prudence, the result not...

All human laws are, properly speaking, only declaratory; they have no power over the substance...

All human laws are, properly speaking, only declaratory; they have no power over the substance...

When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one,...

When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one,...

To tax and to please, no more than to love and to be wise, is...

To tax and to please, no more than to love and to be wise, is...

Justice is itself the great standing policy of civil society; and any eminent departure from...

Justice is itself the great standing policy of civil society; and any eminent departure from...

I venture to say no war can be long carried on against the will of...

I venture to say no war can be long carried on against the will of...

If any ask me what a free government is, I answer, that, for any practical...

If any ask me what a free government is, I answer, that, for any practical...

He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is...

He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is...

Magnanimity in politics is not seldom the truest wisdom; and a great empire and little...

Magnanimity in politics is not seldom the truest wisdom; and a great empire and little...

Kings will be tyrants from policy, when subjects are rebels from principle.

Kings will be tyrants from policy, when subjects are rebels from principle.

If the people are happy, united, wealthy, and powerful, we presume the rest. We conclude...

If the people are happy, united, wealthy, and powerful, we presume the rest. We conclude...

Tyrants seldom want pretexts.

Tyrants seldom want pretexts.