Edmund Burke: “Their principles are wild and wicked; but let justice be done even to…”

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Their principles are wild and wicked; but let justice be done even to frenzy and villany.

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Edmund Burke

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Burke acknowledges the wildness of certain principles while calling for justice even for the wicked.

More from Edmund Burke

Jan 1, 1790

Let us imitate their caution, if we wish to deserve their fortune or to retain their bequests.

Jan 1, 1790

Our people will find employment enough for a truly patriotic, free, and independent spirit, in guarding what they possess from violation.

Jan 1, 1790

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

Jan 1, 1790

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

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Edmund Burke: “Their principles are wild and wicked; but let justice be done even to frenzy and villany.”