Tyrants seldom want pretexts.

Quote by Edmund Burke

Topics: Edmund Burke Quotes

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...

There never was a bad man that had ability for good service.

There never was a bad man that had ability for good service.

There is but one law for all, namely that law which governs all law, the...

There is but one law for all, namely that law which governs all law, the...

Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument...

Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument...

But what is liberty without wisdom, and without virtue? It is the greatest of all...

But what is liberty without wisdom, and without virtue? It is the greatest of all...

Custom reconciles us to everything.

Custom reconciles us to everything.

People crushed by laws, have no hope but to evade power. If the laws are...

People crushed by laws, have no hope but to evade power. If the laws are...

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.

Education is the cheap defense of nations

Education is the cheap defense of nations

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,...

Example is the school of mankind, and they will learn at no other.

Example is the school of mankind, and they will learn at no other.

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.

Liberty must be limited in order to be possessed.

Liberty must be limited in order to be possessed.

The traveller has reached the end of the journey!

The traveller has reached the end of the journey!

Liberty must be limited in order to be possessed

Liberty must be limited in order to be possessed

The march of the human mind is slow.

The march of the human mind is slow.

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...

One that confounds good and evil is an enemy to good.

One that confounds good and evil is an enemy to good.

Circumstances give in reality to every political principle its distinguishing color and discriminating effect. The...

Circumstances give in reality to every political principle its distinguishing color and discriminating effect. The...

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...