Quotes by Edmund Burke

About Edmund Burke:

Edmund Burke was an Anglo-Irish statesman born in Dublin, as well as an author, orator, political theorist, and philosopher, who, after moving to England, served for many years in the House of Commons of Great Britain as a member of the Whig party.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Kings will be tyrants from policy, when subjects are rebels from principle.

Edmund Burke

Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion.

Edmund Burke

The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.

Edmund Burke

Among a people generally corrupt liberty cannot long exist.

Edmund Burke

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

Edmund Burke

By gnawing through a dike, even a rat may drown a nation.

Edmund Burke

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

Edmund Burke

Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.

Edmund Burke

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.

Edmund Burke

Free trade is not based on utility but on justice.

Edmund Burke

The first and simplest emotion which we discover in the human mind, is curiosity.

Edmund Burke

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

Edmund Burke

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

Edmund Burke

In a democracy, the majority of the citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppressions upon the minority.

Edmund Burke

Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises, for never intending to go beyond promise, it costs nothing.

Edmund Burke

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

Edmund Burke

Ambition can creep as well as soar.

Edmund Burke

A disposition to preserve, and an ability to improve, taken together, would be my standard of a statesman.

Edmund Burke

The most important of all revolutions, a revolution in sentiments, manners and moral opinions.

Edmund Burke

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

Edmund Burke

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

Edmund Burke

Author Bio

  • NameEdmund Burke
  • DescriptionAnglo-Irish statesman
  • BornJanuary 12, 1729
  • DiedJuly 9, 1797
  • CountryIreland
  • ProfessionPolitician; Philosopher; Writer