Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: Theirs must be something superior to the government of angels; for I verily believe, that, if one out of the choir of…

On the record
Theirs must be something superior to the government of angels; for I verily believe, that, if one out of the choir of the heavenly angels were sent to govern the earth, such is the nature of man, that many would be found discontented with it.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke reflects on the challenges of human governance, suggesting that even divine beings would struggle to satisfy human nature.

Share

More from Edmund Burke

Jan 1, 1790

As he is not to obey us, but we are to obey the law in him, our Constitution has made no sort of provision towards rendering him, as a servant, in any degree responsible.

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1790

No experience has taught us that in any other course or method than that of an hereditary crown our liberties can be regularly perpetuated and preserved sacred as our hereditary right.

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1790

All your sophisters cannot produce anything better adapted to preserve a rational and manly freedom than the course that we have pursued, who have chosen our nature rather than our speculations, our breasts rather than our inventions, for…

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1790

Who could conceive that men who are habitually meddling, daring, subtle, active, of litigious dispositions and unquiet minds, would easily fall back into their old condition of obscure contention, and laborious, low, and unprofitable…

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation