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

Public calamity is a mighty leveler

Public calamity is a mighty leveler

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

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

Poetry is the art of substantiating shadows, and of lending existence to nothing.

Poetry is the art of substantiating shadows, and of lending existence to nothing.

Whenever our neighbour's house is on fire, it cannot be amiss for the engines to...

Whenever our neighbour's house is on fire, it cannot be amiss for the engines to...

Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who does nothing because he could only do...

Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who does nothing because he could only do...

Religious persecution may shield itself under the guise of a mistaken and over-zealous piety.

Religious persecution may shield itself under the guise of a mistaken and over-zealous piety.

The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.

The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.

The person who grieves suffers his passion to grow upon him; he indulges it, he...

The person who grieves suffers his passion to grow upon him; he indulges it, he...

In effect, to follow, not to force the public inclination; to give a direction, a...

In effect, to follow, not to force the public inclination; to give a direction, a...

People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors

People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors

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...

To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.

To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.

All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act, is...

All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act, is...

That the greatest security of the people, against the encroachments and usurpations of their superiors,...

That the greatest security of the people, against the encroachments and usurpations of their superiors,...

Patience will achieve more than force.

Patience will achieve more than force.

What is it we all seek for in an election? To answer its real purposes,...

What is it we all seek for in an election? To answer its real purposes,...

Good order is the foundation of all good things

Good order is the foundation of all good things

Law and arbitrary power are at eternal enmity

Law and arbitrary power are at eternal enmity

It seems to be a law of nature, inflexible and inexorable, that those who will...

It seems to be a law of nature, inflexible and inexorable, that those who will...

Law; an ordinance of reason for the common good, made by him who has care...

Law; an ordinance of reason for the common good, made by him who has care...

Sooner or later, man has always had to decide whether he worships his own power...

Sooner or later, man has always had to decide whether he worships his own power...