It is fit that France should have both Holland and the Austrian Netherlands too, as a barrier to her against the attacks of despotism.
Edmund Burke: “It is fit that France should have both Holland and the Austrian Netherlands too, as a barrier to her against the attacks…”
Editor's note · Context
Burke argues that France should possess certain territories to protect itself from despotism.
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By adhering in this manner and on those principles to our forefathers, we are guided, not by the superstition of antiquarians, but by the spirit of philosophic analogy.
They look upon the legal hereditary succession of their crown as among their rights, not as among their wrongs,--as a benefit, not as a grievance,--as a security for their liberty, not as a badge of servitude.
But supposing they had ranked as they ought to do, and as with us they do actually, the sides of sick-beds are not the academies for forming statesmen and legislators.
Who could doubt but that, at any expense to the state, of which they understood nothing, they must pursue their private interests, which they understood but too well?





