Edmund Burke Quotes

A collection of quotes by Edmund Burke.

Edmund Burke (1729-1797) was an influential Irish-born British statesman, philosopher, and political theorist. He is widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of modern conservatism. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Burke moved to London in his twenties, where he soon gained prominence for his eloquent speeches and writings.

Burke's political career took off when he was elected to the House of Commons in 1765, representing the Whig party. Throughout his career, he advocated for the rights and liberties of the American colonies, strongly opposing the British government's oppressive policies. Burke famously delivered a series of powerful speeches in the Parliament, including his notable support for conciliation with America during the early stages of the American Revolution.

Renowned for his wit and eloquence, Burke's most enduring work, "Reflections on the Revolution in France" (1790), criticized the French Revolution and defended traditional institutions against radical change. In this influential book, he argued for the preservation of a gradualist and organic approach to reform rather than sudden revolutionary upheaval.

Burke's philosophy was deeply rooted in his belief in the importance of tradition, custom, and the vital role of institutions in preserving stability and order in society. He emphasized the value of experience and cautioned against the dangers of radical ideas or political extremism.

Edmund Burke's legacy lies in his contributions to the principles of conservatism, his defense of individual liberty and limitations on state power, and his insightful analysis of the consequences of political revolutions. His ideas continue to shape political discourse and inspire scholars and politicians to this day.

But the age of chivalry is gone. That of sophisters, economi

But the age of chivalry is gone. That of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded and the glory of Europe is extinguished forever.

Age

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

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

History

When bad men combine, the good must associate else they will

When bad men combine, the good must associate else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.

Men Politics Good

The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.

The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.

Power

But what is liberty without wisdom, and without virtue? It i

But what is liberty without wisdom, and without virtue? It is the greatest of all possible evils for it is folly, vice, and madness, without tuition or restraint.

Wisdom

Religion is essentially the art and the theory of the remaki

Religion is essentially the art and the theory of the remaking of man. Man is not a finished creation.

Art Religion

A people who are still, as it were, but in the gristle, and

A people who are still, as it were, but in the gristle, and not yet hardened into the bone of manhood.

America

Great men are the guideposts and landmarks in the state.

Great men are the guideposts and landmarks in the state.

Greatness & Great Things

In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of

In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution of our country with our dearest domestic ties; adopting our fundamental laws into the bosom of our family affections; keeping inseparable and cherishing with the warmth of all their combined and mutually reflected charities, our state, our hearths, our sepulchres, and our altars.

Inheritance

The great must submit to the dominion of prudence and of vir

The great must submit to the dominion of prudence and of virtue, or none will long submit to the dominion of the great.

Greatness & Great Things

Ambition can creep as well as soar.

Ambition can creep as well as soar.

Ambition

People will not look forward to posterity who will not look

People will not look forward to posterity who will not look backward to their ancestors.

History

Young man, there is America, which at this day serves for li

Young man, there is America, which at this day serves for little more than to amuse you with stories of savage men and uncouth manners.

America

Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver.

Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver.

Flattery

When the leaders choose to make themselves bidders at an auc

When the leaders choose to make themselves bidders at an auction of popularity, their talents, in the construction of the state, will be of no service. They will become flatterers instead of legislators; the instruments, not the guides, of the people.

Voting

The objects of a financier are, then, to secure an ample rev

The objects of a financier are, then, to secure an ample revenue; to impose it with judgment and equality; to employ it economically; and, when necessity obliges him to make use of credit, to secure its foundations in that instance, and for ever, by the clearness and candor of his proceedings, the exactness of his calculations, and the solidity of his funds.

Money

Frugality is founded on the principal that all riches have l

Frugality is founded on the principal that all riches have limits.

Economics

The use of force alone is but temporary. It may subdue for a

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.

Power

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

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

Example

No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of

No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear.

Fear