Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: Upon this, my Lords, I shall only observe, that this plea of an inward intention in his own mind may, if admitted…

On the record
Upon this, my Lords, I shall only observe, that this plea of an inward intention in his own mind may, if admitted, justify any evil act whatever of this kind.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke warns that accepting an inward intention as justification could legitimize any wrongdoing.

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