The body of the community, whenever it can come to act, can meet with no effectual resistance; but till power and right are the same, the whole body of them has no right inconsistent with virtue, and the first of all virtues, prudence.
Edmund Burke: “The body of the community, whenever it can come to act, can meet with no effectual resistance; but till power and right…”
Editor's note · Context
Burke argues that the community's power is irresistible, but its rights are constrained by virtue and prudence until power and right align.
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