Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: The science of constructing a commonwealth, or renovating it, or reforming it, is, like every other experimental…

On the recordJanuary 1, 1790
The science of constructing a commonwealth, or renovating it, or reforming it, is, like every other experimental science, not to be taught a priori.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke argues that the creation or reform of a commonwealth is an experimental science, not one to be derived from abstract principles alone.

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