Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: “From hence arises, not an excellence in simplicity, but one far superior, an excellence in composition.”

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From hence arises, not an excellence in simplicity, but one far superior, an excellence in composition.
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Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke argues that true excellence lies in the ability to compose complex ideas rather than in simplicity.

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Jan 1, 1790

But when the leaders choose to make themselves bidders at an auction of popularity, their talents, in the construction of the state, will be of no service.

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Let us add, if we please, but let us preserve what they have left; and standing on the firm ground of the British Constitution, let us be satisfied to admire, rather than attempt to follow in their desperate flights, the aëronauts of…

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Jan 1, 1790

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

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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.

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