Tyrants seldom want pretexts.

Quote by Edmund Burke

Topics: Edmund Burke Quotes

I know that many have been taught to think that moderation, in a case like...

I know that many have been taught to think that moderation, in a case like...

Facts are to the mind what food is to the body.

Facts are to the mind what food is to the body.

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...

Fraud is the ready minister of injustice.

Fraud is the ready minister of injustice.

Falsehood is a perennial spring.

Falsehood is a perennial spring.

In a democracy, the majority of the citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel...

In a democracy, the majority of the citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel...

All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing

All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing

The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.

The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.

Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.

Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.

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...

The greatest crimes do not arise from a want of feeling for others but from...

The greatest crimes do not arise from a want of feeling for others but from...

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.

Men are qualified for civil liberties in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral...

Men are qualified for civil liberties in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral...

Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver.

Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver.

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,...

There is a boundary to men's passions when they act from feelings; but none when...

There is a boundary to men's passions when they act from feelings; but none when...

The writers against religion, while they oppose every system, are wisely careful never to set...

The writers against religion, while they oppose every system, are wisely careful never to set...

The true danger is when liberty is nibbled away, for expedience, and by parts

The true danger is when liberty is nibbled away, for expedience, and by parts

Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance...

Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance...

It is a strange desire, to seek power, and to lose liberty; or to seek...

It is a strange desire, to seek power, and to lose liberty; or to seek...