Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: “A penal law not ordinarily put in execution seems to me to be a very absurd and a very dangerous thing.”

On the record
A penal law not ordinarily put in execution seems to me to be a very absurd and a very dangerous thing.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke describes the absurdity and danger of penal laws that are not enforced.

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

Let us imitate their caution, if we wish to deserve their fortune or to retain their bequests.

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1790

Our people will find employment enough for a truly patriotic, free, and independent spirit, in guarding what they possess from violation.

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

Other voices in this conversation