Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: It will be to little purpose to tell them that their conduct has, in our estimation of it, been very wrong, and at the…

On the record
It will be to little purpose to tell them that their conduct has, in our estimation of it, been very wrong, and at the same time to announce to them the orders of our superiors, which more than indicate the reverse.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke reflects on the futility of criticizing the Begums while simultaneously conveying orders that contradict that criticism.

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