He that accuses all mankind of corruption ought to remember that he is sure to convict only one. Edmund Burke More Quotes by Edmund Burke More Quotes From Edmund Burke Nothing, indeed, but the possession of some power can with any certainty discover what at the bottom is the true character of any man. Edmund Burke powercharactermen The moment you abate anything from the full rights of men to each govern himself, and suffer any artificial positive limitation upon those rights, from that moment the whole organization of government becomes a consideration of convenience. Edmund Burke organizationrightsmen But a good patriot, and a true politician, always considers how he shall make the most of the existing materials of his country. A disposition, to preserve, and an ability to improve, taken together, would be my standard of a statesman. Everything else is vulgar in the conception, perilous in the execution. Edmund Burke takentogethercountry The use of force alone is but temporary. It may subdue for a moment; but it does not remove the necessity of subduing again; and a nation is not governed, which is perpetually to be conquered. Edmund Burke governmentdoeinspirational Freedom and not servitude is the cure of anarchy; as religion, and not atheism, is the true remedy of superstition. Edmund Burke superstitionsatheismfreedom Under the pressure of the cares and sorrows of our mortal condition, men have at all times, and in all countries, called in some physical aid to their moral consolations - wine, beer, opium, brandy, or tobacco. Edmund Burke winebeercountry Men love to hear of their power, but have an extreme disrelish to be told their duty. Edmund Burke extremesdutymen A populace never rebels from passion for attack, but from impatience of suffering. Edmund Burke rebelpassionsuffering A disposition to preserve, and an ability to improve, taken together, would be my standard of a statesman. Edmund Burke takenwould-betogether Applaud us when we run, Console us when we fall, Cheer us when we recover. Edmund Burke cheerrunningmotivational The starry heaven, though it occurs so very frequently to our view, never fails to excite an idea of grandeur. This cannot be owing to the stars themselves, separately considered. The number is certainly the cause. The apparent disorder augments the grandeur, for the appearance of care is highly contrary to our ideas of magnificence. Besides, the stars lie in such apparent confusion, as makes it impossible on ordinary occasions to reckon them. This gives them the advantage of a sort of infinity. Edmund Burke starsviewslying Mere parsimony is not economy. Expense, and great expense, may be an essential part in true economy. Edmund Burke essentialsmaycommitment It is the nature of tyranny and rapacity never to learn moderation from the ill-success of first oppressions; on the contrary, all oppressors, all men thinking highly of the methods dictated by their nature, attribute the frustration of their desires to the want of sufficient rigor. Edmund Burke frustrationmenthinking The tyranny of a multitude is a multiplied tyranny. Edmund Burke multitudestyrantstyranny You had that action and counteraction which, in the natural and in the political world, from the reciprocal struggle of discordant powers draws out the harmony of the universe. Edmund Burke politicalstruggleworld Good company, lively conversation, and the endearments of friendship fill the mind with great pleasure. Edmund Burke pleasuremindfriendship Law and arbitrary power are at eternal enmity. Edmund Burke arbitrarypowerlaw To execute laws is a royal office; to execute orders is not to be a king. However, a political executive magistracy, though merely such, is a great trust. Edmund Burke kingslaworder The unbought grace of life, the cheap defence of nations, the nurse of manly sentiment and heroic enterprise isgone! it isgone, that sensibility of principle, that chastity of honour, which felt a stain like a wound, which ennobled whatever it touched, and under which vice itself lost half its evil, by losing all its grossness. Edmund Burke graceevilnurse Economy is a distributive virtue, and consists not in saving but in selection. Edmund Burke economysavingvirtue
