Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little. 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 power character men 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 organization rights men 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 taken together country 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 government doe inspirational Freedom and not servitude is the cure of anarchy; as religion, and not atheism, is the true remedy of superstition. Edmund Burke superstitions atheism freedom 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 wine beer country Men love to hear of their power, but have an extreme disrelish to be told their duty. Edmund Burke extremes duty men A populace never rebels from passion for attack, but from impatience of suffering. Edmund Burke rebel passion suffering A disposition to preserve, and an ability to improve, taken together, would be my standard of a statesman. Edmund Burke taken would-be together Applaud us when we run, Console us when we fall, Cheer us when we recover. Edmund Burke cheer running motivational 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 stars views lying Mere parsimony is not economy. Expense, and great expense, may be an essential part in true economy. Edmund Burke essentials may commitment 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 frustration men thinking The tyranny of a multitude is a multiplied tyranny. Edmund Burke multitudes tyrants tyranny 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 political struggle world Good company, lively conversation, and the endearments of friendship fill the mind with great pleasure. Edmund Burke pleasure mind friendship Law and arbitrary power are at eternal enmity. Edmund Burke arbitrary power law 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 kings law order 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 grace evil nurse Economy is a distributive virtue, and consists not in saving but in selection. Edmund Burke economy saving virtue
