Men have no right to what is not reasonable, and to what is not for their benefit. Edmund Burke More Quotes by Edmund Burke More Quotes From Edmund Burke Corrupt influence is itself the perennial spring of all prodigality, and of all disorder; it loads us more than millions of debt; takes away vigor from our arms, wisdom from our councils, and every shadow of authority and credit from the most venerable parts of our constitution. Edmund Burke creditshadowspring The truly sublime is always easy, and always natural. Edmund Burke stylesublimeeasy All virtue which is impracticable is spurious. Edmund Burke virtue To complain of the age we live in, to murmur at the present possessors of power, to lament the past, to conceive extravagant hopes of the future, are the common dispositions of the greatest part of mankind. Edmund Burke agecomplainingpast The only kind of sublimity which a painter or sculptor should aim at is to express by certain proportions and positions of limbs and features that strength and dignity of mind, and vigor and activity of body, which enables men to conceive and execute great actions. Edmund Burke mindmenart Nnothing tends more to the corruption of science than to suffer it to stagnate. These waters must be troubled, before they can exert their virtues. Edmund Burke sufferingwaterscience Religion is the basis of civil society, and the source of all good and of all comfort. Edmund Burke sourcecomfortreligion We must soften into a credulity below the milkiness of infancy to think all men virtuous. We must be tainted with a malignity truly diabolical, to believe all the world to be equally wicked and corrupt. Edmund Burke menbelievethinking If the prudence of reserve and decorum dictates silence in some circumstances, in others prudence of a higher order may justify us in speaking our thoughts. Edmund Burke silencemayorder Power, in whatever hands, is rarely guilty of too strict limitations on itself. Edmund Burke guiltypowerhands Nothing is so rash as fear; and the counsels of pusillanimity very rarely put off, whilst they are always sure to aggravate, the evils from which they would fly. Edmund Burke anticipationevil Too much idleness, I have observed, fills up a man's time more completely and leaves him less his own master, than any sort of employment whatsoever Edmund Burke too-muchmastersmen In general the languages of most unpolished people have a great force and energy of expression; and this is but natural. Uncultivated people are but ordinary observers of things, and not critical in distinguishing them; but, for that reason, they admire more, and are more affected with what they see, and therefore express themselves in a warmer and more passionate manner. Edmund Burke energyexpressionpeople It may be observed, that very polished languages, and such as are praised for their superior clearness and perspicuity, are generally deficient in strength. Edmund Burke clearnesslanguagemay Of all things, wisdom is the most terrified with epidemical fanaticism, because, of all enemies, it is that against which she is the least able to furnish any kind of resource. Edmund Burke ablekindenemy We set ourselves to bite the hand that feeds us. Edmund Burke ingratitudebiteshands There are three estates in Parliament but in the Reporters' Gallery yonder there sits a Fourth Estate more important far than they all. It is not a figure of speech or witty saying, it is a literal fact, very momentous to us in these times. Edmund Burke importantwittyknowledge The love of lucre, though sometimes carried to a ridiculous excess, a vicious excess, is the grand cause of prosperity to all States. Edmund Burke excessridiculouscauses All men that are ruined, are ruined on the side of their natural propensities. Edmund Burke failuredestinymen Evil succeeds when good men do nothing Edmund Burke good-manevilmen
