There are circumstances in which despair does not imply inactivity. Edmund Burke More Quotes by Edmund Burke More Quotes From Edmund Burke Men want to be reminded, who do not want to be taught; because those original ideas of rectitude to which the mind is compelled to assent when they are proposed, are not always as present to us as they ought to be. Edmund Burke teaching men ideas Surely the church is a place where one day's truce ought to be allowed to the dissensions and animosities of mankind. Edmund Burke mankind one-day church Vice incapacitates a man from all public duty; it withers the powers of his under- standing, and makes his mind paralytic. Edmund Burke vices mind men Nothing in progression can rest on its original plan. We may as well think of rocking a grown man in the cradle of an infant. Edmund Burke design men thinking He that accuses all mankind of corruption ought to remember that he is sure to convict only one. Edmund Burke accusation corruption remember The credulity of dupes is as inexhaustible as the invention of knaves. Edmund Burke dupes knaves invention I know of nothing sublime which is not some modification of power. Edmund Burke modification sublime power God has sometimes converted wickedness into madness; and it is to the credit of human reason that men who are not in some degree mad are never capable of being in the highest degree wicked. Edmund Burke wicked mad men We begin our public affection in our families. No cold relation is a zealous citizen. Edmund Burke zealous affection citizens An appearance of delicacy, and even fragility, is almost essential to beauty. Edmund Burke fragility essentials beauty Beauty is the promise of happiness. Edmund Burke beauty promise The science of constructing a commonwealth or renovating it, or reforming it, is...not to be taught a priori...That which in the first instance is prejudicial may be excellent in its remoter operation, and its excellence may rise even from the ill effects it produces in the beginning. The reverse also happens; and very plausible schemes, with very pleasing commencements, have often shameful and lamentable conclusions. Edmund Burke government excellence may I have never yet seen any plan which has not been mended by the observations of those who were much inferior in understanding to the person who took the lead in the business. Edmund Burke observation planning understanding It is the interest of the commercial world that wealth should be found everywhere. Edmund Burke wealth business world To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting. Edmund Burke reading book thinking The arrogance of age must submit to be taught by youth. Edmund Burke arrogance-of-youth age time Parliament is not a congress of ambassadors from different and hostile interests; which interests each must maintain, as an agent and advocate, against other agents and advocates; but parliament is a deliberative assembly of one nation, with one interest, that of the whole; where, not local purposes, not local prejudices ought to guide, but the general good, resulting from the general reason of the whole. You choose a member indeed; but when you have chosen him, he is not a member of Bristol, but he is a member of parliament. Edmund Burke ambassadors agents politics But the age of chivalry is gone. That of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded; and the glory of Europe is extinguished forever. Edmund Burke forever birthday europe Power gradually extirpates from the mind every humane and gentle virtue. Edmund Burke politics power mind In a free country every man thinks he has a concern in all public matters,--that he has a right to form and a right to deliver an opinion on them. This it is that fills countries with men of ability in all stations. Edmund Burke freedom men country
