"War," says Machiavelli, "ought to be the only study of a prince;" and by a prince he means every sort of state, however constituted. "He ought," says this great political doctor, "to consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes ability to execute military plans." A meditation on the conduct of political societies made old Hobbes imagine that war was the state of nature.

Edmund Burke

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

Edmund Burke

wisdom witty inspirational

The hottest fires in hell are reserved for those who remain neutral in times of moral crisis.

Edmund Burke

fire motivational peace

Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.

Edmund Burke

conservative historical wisdom

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.

Edmund Burke

courage time life

Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites…in proportion as they are more disposed to listen to the counsels of the wise and good, in preference to the flattery of knaves. 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. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters.

Edmund Burke

passion wise men

The Fate of good men who refuse to become involved in politics is to be ruled by evil men.

Edmund Burke

fate evil men

To innovate is not to reform.

Edmund Burke

reformation innovation reform

Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, never can willingly abandon it. They may be distressed in the midst of all their power; but they will never look to anything but power for their relief.

Edmund Burke

relief power years

When you fear something, learn as much about it as you can. Knowledge conquers fear.

Edmund Burke

conquering-fear conquer

In a democracy, the majority of the citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppressions upon the minority.

Edmund Burke

democracy freedom exercise

Manners are of more importance than laws. Manners are what vex or soothe, corrupt or purify, exalt or debase, barbarize or refine us, by a constant, steady, uniform, insensible operation, like that of the air we breathe.

Edmund Burke

uniforms law air

The essence of tyranny is the enforcement of stupid laws.

Edmund Burke

essence stupid law

Nothing turns out to be so oppressive and unjust as a feeble government.

Edmund Burke

oppressive-governments unjust government

People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors.

Edmund Burke

family inspirational memories

Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises, for never intending to go beyond promise, it costs nothing.

Edmund Burke

broken-promises cost hypocrisy

There is no safety for honest men, but by believing all possible evil of evil men, and by acting with promptitude, decision, and steadiness on that belief.

Edmund Burke

wisdom men believe

The great difference between the real leader and the pretender is that the one sees into the future, while the other regards only the present; the one lives by the day, and acts upon expediency; the other acts on enduring principles and for the immortality.

Edmund Burke

differences real leadership

History is a pact between the dead, the living, and the yet unborn.

Edmund Burke

carpe pact carpe-diem

People crushed by law, have no hopes but from power. If laws are their enemies, they will be enemies to laws; and those who have much hope and nothing to lose, will always be dangerous.

Edmund Burke

government power law

Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion.

Edmund Burke

sacrifice political government