For there is a sort of presumption against novelty, drawn out of a deep consideration of human nature and human affairs; and the maxim of jurisprudence is well laid down, "Vetustas pro lege semper habetur.
Burke reflects on the cautious approach to change based on human nature and established laws.
Share
More from Edmund Burke
Though a king may abdicate for his own person, he cannot abdicate for the monarchy.
But an absurd theory on one side of a question forms no justification for alleging a false fact or promulgating mischievous maxims on the other.
A few years ago I should be ashamed to overload a matter so capable of supporting itself by the then unnecessary support of any argument; but this seditious, unconstitutional doctrine is now publicly taught, avowed, and printed.
Their trust for the future preservation of the Constitution was not in future revolutions.
Other voices in this conversation
