Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: “Nothing but their previous breach of a part could justify our breach of the whole.”

On the record
Nothing but their previous breach of a part could justify our breach of the whole.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke emphasizes the importance of maintaining agreements and the justification for breaking them.

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Jan 1, 1790

Not being illuminated with the light of which the gentlemen of France tell us they have got so abundant a share, they acted under a strong impression of the ignorance and fallibility of mankind.

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I would not exclude alteration neither; but even when I changed, it should be to preserve.

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They will become flatterers instead of legislators,--the instruments, not the guides of the people.

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I think our happy situation owing to our Constitution,--but owing to the whole of it, and not to any part singly,--owing in a great measure to what we have left standing in our several reviews and reformations, as well as to what we have…

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