You will not think it unnatural that those who have an object depending, which strongly engages their hopes and fears, should be somewhat inclining to superstition. 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 credit shadow spring The truly sublime is always easy, and always natural. Edmund Burke style sublime easy 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 age complaining past 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 mind men art 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 suffering water science Religion is the basis of civil society, and the source of all good and of all comfort. Edmund Burke source comfort religion 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 men believe thinking 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 silence may order Power, in whatever hands, is rarely guilty of too strict limitations on itself. Edmund Burke guilty power hands 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 anticipation evil 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-much masters men 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 energy expression people 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 clearness language may 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 able kind enemy We set ourselves to bite the hand that feeds us. Edmund Burke ingratitude bites hands 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 important witty knowledge 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 excess ridiculous causes All men that are ruined, are ruined on the side of their natural propensities. Edmund Burke failure destiny men Evil succeeds when good men do nothing Edmund Burke good-man evil men
