Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: “How came they neither to have the choice of kings, or lords, or judges, or generals, or admirals, or bishops, or…”

On the record
How came they neither to have the choice of kings, or lords, or judges, or generals, or admirals, or bishops, or priests, or ministers, or justices of peace?
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke questions the lack of choice in leadership roles for the populace.

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They will become flatterers instead of legislators,--the instruments, not the guides of the people.

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Let us add, if we please, but let us preserve what they have left; and standing on the firm ground of the British Constitution, let us be satisfied to admire, rather than attempt to follow in their desperate flights, the aëronauts of…

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

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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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