Man is by his constitution a religious animal; atheism is against not only our reason, but our instincts. Edmund Burke More Quotes by Edmund Burke More Quotes From Edmund Burke Economy is a distributive virtue, and consists not in saving but in selection. Edmund Burke economysavingvirtue Hypocrisy is no cheap vice; nor can our natural temper be masked for many years together. Edmund Burke hypocrisytogetheryears War is the matter which fills all history; and consequently the only, or almost the only, view in which we can see the external of political society is in a hostile shape: and the only actions to which we have always seen, and still see, all of them intent, are such as tend to the destruction of one another. Edmund Burke politicalviewswar Whatever is fitted in any sort to excite the ideas of pain and danger, that is to say, whatever is in any sort terrible, or is conversant about terrible objects, or operates in a manner analogous to terror, is a source of the sublime; that is, it is productive of the strongest emotion which the mind is capable of feeling... When danger or pain press too nearly, they are incapable of giving any delight, and are simply terrible; but at certain distances, and with certain modifications, they may be, and they are, delightful, as we every day experience. Edmund Burke paingivingideas There are some men formed with feelings so blunt that they can hardly be said to be awake during the whole course of their lives. Edmund Burke empathyfeelingsmen Taxing is an easy business. Any projector can contrive new impositions; any bungler can add to the old; but is it altogether wise to have no other bounds to your impositions than the patience of those who are to bear them? Edmund Burke businesswiseadd 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. Edmund Burke appetitelibertysociety The only training for the heroic is the mundane. Edmund Burke mundaneheroictraining I do not hesitate to say that the road to eminence and power, from an obscure condition, ought not to be made too easy, nor a thing too much of course. If rare merit be the rarest of all things, it ought to pass through some sort of probation. The temple of honor ought to be seated on an eminence. If it be open through virtue, let it be remembered, too, that virtue is never tried but by some difficulty and some struggle. Edmund Burke greatnesshonorstruggle A good parson once said that where mystery begins religion ends. Cannot I say, as truly at least, of human laws, that where mystery begins justice ends? Edmund Burke investinglawjustice The writers against religion, whilst they oppose every system, are wisely careful never to set up any of their own. Edmund Burke against-religioncarefulreligion For as wealth is power, so all power will infallibly draw wealth to itself by some means or other; and when men are left no way of ascertaining their profits but by their means of obtaining them, those means will be increased to infinity. Edmund Burke politicspowermean Where mystery begins religion ends. Edmund Burke mysteryends War never leaves where it found a nation. Edmund Burke nationsfoundwar But whoever is a genuine follower of Truth, keeps his eye steady upon his guide, indifferent whither he is led, provided that she is the leader. Edmund Burke curiosityeyeleader The great must submit to the dominion of prudence and of virtue, or none will long submit to the dominion of the great. Edmund Burke greatnessdominionlong I am not one of those who think that the people are never in the wrong. They have been so, frequently and outrageously, both in other countries and in this. But I do say that in all disputes between them and their rulers, the presumption is at least upon a par in favour of the people. Edmund Burke countrypeoplethinking There are circumstances in which despair does not imply inactivity. Edmund Burke despaircircumstancesdoe I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards to avenge even a look that threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone. Edmund Burke agegonelooks Those who attempt to level never equalize Edmund Burke levels
