Am I to congratulate a highwayman and murderer who has broke prison upon the recovery of his natural rights?
Edmund Burke: “Am I to congratulate a highwayman and murderer who has broke prison upon the recovery of his natural rights?”
Editor's note · Context
Continuing his argument against abstract rights, Burke uses a rhetorical question to challenge the notion of celebrating "natural rights" when they lead to societal disorder and crime.
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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.
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.
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.
The improvements of the National Assembly are superficial, their errors fundamental.





