The vice of the ancient democracies, and one cause of their ruin, was, that they ruled, as you do, by occasional decrees, psephismata.
Edmund Burke: “The vice of the ancient democracies, and one cause of their ruin, was, that they ruled, as you do, by occasional…”
Editor's note · Context
From his critique of the French Revolution, Burke identifies a flaw in ancient democracies that he sees replicated in the new French government.
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Let us imitate their caution, if we wish to deserve their fortune or to retain their bequests.
Of this consolation whoever deprives them deadens their industry, and strikes at the root of all acquisition as of all conservation.
Not being illuminated with the light of which the gentlemen of France tell us they have got so abundant a share, they acted under a strong impression of the ignorance and fallibility of mankind.
Let us add, if we please, but let us preserve what they have left; and standing on the firm ground of the British Constitution, let us be satisfied to admire, rather than attempt to follow in their desperate flights, the aëronauts of…





