Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: “It is an obvious truth, that no constitution can defend itself: it must be defended by the wisdom and fortitude of men.”

On the record
It is an obvious truth, that no constitution can defend itself: it must be defended by the wisdom and fortitude of men.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke asserts that a constitution relies on the strength and wisdom of individuals for its defense.

Share

More from Edmund Burke

Jan 1, 1790

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

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1790

I think our happy situation owing to our Constitution,--but owing to the whole of it, and not to any part singly,--owing in a great measure to what we have left standing in our several reviews and reformations, as well as to what we have…

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1790

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…

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1790

If any of them should happen to propose a scheme of liberty soberly limited, and defined with proper qualifications, he will be immediately outbid by his competitors, who will produce something more splendidly popular.

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation