Quotes By Edmund Burke

It is the interest of the commercial world that wealth should be found everywhere.

If you can be well without health, you may be happy without virtue.

Example is the school of mankind, and they will learn at no other.

I venture to say no war can be long carried on against the will of the people.

To innovate is not to reform.

He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.

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.

Religious persecution may shield itself under the guise of a mistaken and over-zealous piety.

To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.

Nothing is so fatal to religion as indifference.

Laws, like houses, lean on one another.

We must all obey the great law of change. It is the most powerful law of nature.

Toleration is good for all, or it is good for none.

Whilst shame keeps its watch, virtue is not wholly extinguished in the heart; nor will moderation be utterly exiled from the minds of tyrants.

The march of the human mind is slow.

Ambition can creep as well as soar.

All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing.

A spirit of innovation is generally the result of a selfish temper and confined views. People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors.

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

The arrogance of age must submit to be taught by youth.

Society can overlook murder, adultery or swindling; it never forgives preaching of a new gospel.

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

All human laws are, properly speaking, only declaratory; they have no power over the substance of original justice.

The true danger is when liberty is nibbled away, for expedience, and by parts.

It is, generally, in the season of prosperity that men discover their real temper, principles, and designs.

Whenever a separation is made between liberty and justice, neither, in my opinion, is safe.

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

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

The effect of liberty to individuals is that they may do what they please: we ought to see what it will please them to do, before we risk congratulations.

If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free; if our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed.