Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants. Men have right that these wants should be provided for, including the want of a sufficient restraint upon their passions. Edmund Burke More Quotes by Edmund Burke More Quotes From Edmund Burke The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke wisdomwittyinspirational The hottest fires in hell are reserved for those who remain neutral in times of moral crisis. Edmund Burke firemotivationalpeace Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it. Edmund Burke conservativehistoricalwisdom Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little. Edmund Burke couragetimelife Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites…in proportion as they are more disposed to listen to the counsels of the wise and good, in preference to the flattery of knaves. Society cannot exist, unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere; and the less of it there is within, the more there must be without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters. Edmund Burke passionwisemen The Fate of good men who refuse to become involved in politics is to be ruled by evil men. Edmund Burke fateevilmen To innovate is not to reform. Edmund Burke reformationinnovationreform Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, never can willingly abandon it. They may be distressed in the midst of all their power; but they will never look to anything but power for their relief. Edmund Burke reliefpoweryears When you fear something, learn as much about it as you can. Knowledge conquers fear. Edmund Burke conquering-fearconquer In a democracy, the majority of the citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppressions upon the minority. Edmund Burke democracyfreedomexercise Manners are of more importance than laws. Manners are what vex or soothe, corrupt or purify, exalt or debase, barbarize or refine us, by a constant, steady, uniform, insensible operation, like that of the air we breathe. Edmund Burke uniformslawair The essence of tyranny is the enforcement of stupid laws. Edmund Burke essencestupidlaw Nothing turns out to be so oppressive and unjust as a feeble government. Edmund Burke oppressive-governmentsunjustgovernment People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors. Edmund Burke familyinspirationalmemories Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises, for never intending to go beyond promise, it costs nothing. Edmund Burke broken-promisescosthypocrisy There is no safety for honest men, but by believing all possible evil of evil men, and by acting with promptitude, decision, and steadiness on that belief. Edmund Burke wisdommenbelieve The great difference between the real leader and the pretender is that the one sees into the future, while the other regards only the present; the one lives by the day, and acts upon expediency; the other acts on enduring principles and for the immortality. Edmund Burke differencesrealleadership History is a pact between the dead, the living, and the yet unborn. Edmund Burke carpepactcarpe-diem People crushed by law, have no hopes but from power. If laws are their enemies, they will be enemies to laws; and those who have much hope and nothing to lose, will always be dangerous. Edmund Burke governmentpowerlaw Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion. Edmund Burke sacrificepoliticalgovernment
