Quotes from Edmund Burke

He only deserves to be remembered by posterity who treasures up and preserves the history of his ancestors.

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

There is but one law for all, namely that law which governs all law, the law of our Creator, the law of humanity, justice, equity - the law of nature and of nations.

Better to be despised for too anxious apprehensions than ruined by too confident a security.

The most favourable laws can do very little towards the happiness of people when the disposition of the ruling power is adverse to them.

The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.

It is our ignorance of things that causes all our admiration and chiefly excites our passions.

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.

A kind Providence has placed in our breasts a hatred of the unjust and cruel, in order that we may preserve ourselves from cruelty and injustice. They who bear cruelty, are accomplices in it. The pretended gentleness which excludes that charitable rancour, produces an indifference which is half an approbation. They never will love where they ought to love, who do not hate where they ought to hate.

To make us love our country, our country ought to be lovely.

To give freedom is still more easy. It is not necessary to guide; it only requires to let go the rein. But to form a free government; that is, to temper together these opposite elements of liberty and restraint in one work, requires much thought, deep reflection, a sagacious, powerful, and combining mind.

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.