Edmund Burke: “From necessity and corruption, a free state may lose the spirit of that complex constitution which is the foundation of…”

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.

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

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.

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