It was therefore necessary first to put government out of danger, whilst at its own desire it suffered such an operation as a general reform at the hands of those who were much more filled with a sense of the disease than provided with rational means of a cure.
Burke discusses the necessity of protecting the government while undergoing reform, emphasizing the complexity of political change.
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The prattling about the rights of men will not be accepted in payment of a biscuit or a pound of gunpowder.
I think our happy situation owing to our Constitution,--but owing to the whole of it, and not to any part singly,--owing in a great measure to what we have left standing in our several reviews and reformations, as well as to what we have…
This is the result of all the delusions held out to engage a miserable people in rebellion, murder, and sacrilege, and to make them prompt and zealous instruments in the ruin of their country!
This was reserved to our time, to quench the little glimmerings of reason which might break in upon the solid darkness of this enlightened age.
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