It is hard to persuade us, that everything which is GOT by another is not TAKEN from ourselves.
Edmund Burke: “It is hard to persuade us, that everything which is GOT by another is not TAKEN from ourselves.”
Editor's note · Context
Burke expresses the difficulty in believing that others' gains do not come at one's own expense.
Share
More from Edmund Burke
As he is not to obey us, but we are to obey the law in him, our Constitution has made no sort of provision towards rendering him, as a servant, in any degree responsible.
This idea of a liberal descent inspires us with a sense of habitual native dignity, which prevents that upstart insolence almost inevitably adhering to and disgracing those who are the first acquirers of any distinction.
Those who are servants in name, as well as in effect, do not like to be told of their situation, their duty, and their obligations.
But an absurd theory on one side of a question forms no justification for alleging a false fact or promulgating mischievous maxims on the other.





