In short, he subdued the Britons by civilizing them, and made them exchange a savage liberty for a polite and easy subjection.
Edmund Burke: “In short, he subdued the Britons by civilizing them, and made them exchange a savage liberty for a polite and easy…”
Editor's note · Context
Burke reflects on the transformation of the Britons under Roman rule, highlighting the trade-off between freedom and civilization.
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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.
They will become flatterers instead of legislators,--the instruments, not the guides of the people.
If any of them should happen to propose a scheme of liberty soberly limited, and defined with proper qualifications, he will be immediately outbid by his competitors, who will produce something more splendidly popular.
Our people will find employment enough for a truly patriotic, free, and independent spirit, in guarding what they possess from violation.





