On the recordJanuary 1, 1790
It must be allowed in favor of those tyrants of antiquity, that what was done by them could hardly be said to be done in cold blood.
Said by
Edmund Burke
Source
gutenberg.orgEdmund Burke: “It must be allowed in favor of those tyrants of antiquity, that what was done by them could hardly be said to be done in…”
Editor's note · Context
Comparing the French Revolution to ancient tyrannies, Burke notes that the actions of ancient tyrants were often driven by immediate passion rather than cold calculation.
Share
More from Edmund Burke
Jan 1, 1790
The engagement and pact of society, which generally goes by the name of the Constitution, forbids such invasion and such surrender.
Jan 1, 1790
They have little regard to the obvious consequences of their doctrine, though they may see that it leaves positive authority in very few of the positive institutions of this country.
Jan 1, 1790
This is the spirit of our Constitution, not only in its settled course, but in all its revolutions.
Jan 1, 1790
An irregular, convulsive movement may be necessary to throw off an irregular, convulsive disease.
Other voices in this conversation
