Their attachment to their country itself is only so far as it agrees with some of their fleeting projects: it begins and ends with that scheme of polity which falls in with their momentary opinion.
Edmund Burke: “Their attachment to their country itself is only so far as it agrees with some of their fleeting projects: it begins and…”
On the recordJanuary 1, 1790
Said by
Edmund Burke
Source
gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
From his critique of the French Revolution, describing the conditional and fleeting patriotism of the revolutionaries.
Share
More from Edmund Burke
Jan 1, 1790
Whatever they are, I wish my countrymen rather to recommend to our neighbors the example of the British Constitution than to take models from them for the improvement of our own.
Jan 1, 1790
I would not exclude alteration neither; but even when I changed, it should be to preserve.
Jan 1, 1790
They will become flatterers instead of legislators,--the instruments, not the guides of the people.
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.





