Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: It is in the power of government to prevent much evil; it can do very little positive good in this, or perhaps in…

On the record
It is in the power of government to prevent much evil; it can do very little positive good in this, or perhaps in anything else.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke reflects on the limited capacity of government to enact positive change, despite its ability to prevent harm.

Share

More from Edmund Burke

Jan 1, 1790

The prattling about the rights of men will not be accepted in payment of a biscuit or a pound of gunpowder.

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1790

The only difference among their financial factions is on the greater or the lesser quantity of assignats to be imposed on the public sufferance.

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1790

The body of the people must not find the principles of natural subordination by art rooted out of their minds.

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1790

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…

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation