Edmund Burke, (1729-1797) Irish-born British statesman, parliamentary orator, and political thinker Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page [31-48] of 48 Edmund Burke quotesEdmund Burke QuotesEdmund Burke Previous 30 quotes The tyranny of a multitude is a multiplied tyranny.~ Edmund Burke It is a general popular error to suppose the loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for its welfare.~ Edmund Burke The great inlet by which a colour for oppression has entered into the world is by one man's pretending to determine concerning the happiness of another.~ Edmund Burke People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors.~ Edmund Burke There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men.~ Edmund Burke 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 They defend their errors as if they were defending their inheritance.~ Edmund Burke Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites.~ Edmund Burke The only liberty that is valuable is a liberty connected with order; that not only exists along with order and virtue, but which cannot exist at all without them. It inheres in good and steady government, as in its substance and vital principle.~ Edmund Burke The greater the power the more dangerous the abuse.~ Edmund Burke 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.~ Edmund Burke 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 No government ought to exist for the purpose of checking the prosperity of its people or to allow such a principle in its policy.~ Edmund Burke To govern according to the sense and agreement of the interests of the people is a great and glorious object of governance. This object cannot be obtained but through the medium of popular election, and popular election is a mighty evil.~ Edmund Burke In such a strait the wisest may well be perplexed and the boldest staggered.~ Edmund Burke It is by this tribunal that statesmen [are tried] not upon the niceties of a narrow jurisprudence but upon the enlarged and solid principles of morality.~ Edmund Burke Liberty must be limited in order to be possessed.~ Edmund Burke My vigour relents. I pardon something to the spirit of liberty.~ Edmund Burke Previous 30 quotes Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print