Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: “At that ever-memorable and instructive period, the letter of the law was superseded in favour of the substance of…”

On the record
At that ever-memorable and instructive period, the letter of the law was superseded in favour of the substance of liberty.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke highlights the importance of liberty over strict adherence to the law during critical times.

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Jan 1, 1790

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

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Not being illuminated with the light of which the gentlemen of France tell us they have got so abundant a share, they acted under a strong impression of the ignorance and fallibility of mankind.

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But when the leaders choose to make themselves bidders at an auction of popularity, their talents, in the construction of the state, will be of no service.

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Whatever they are, I wish my countrymen rather to recommend to our neighbors the example of the British Constitution than to take models from them for the improvement of our own.

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