Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: In them we often see the end best obtained, where the means seem not perfectly reconcilable to what we may fancy was the…

On the recordJanuary 1, 1790
In them we often see the end best obtained, where the means seem not perfectly reconcilable to what we may fancy was the original scheme.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Reflecting on the nature of established governments, Burke observes that practical means, though seemingly inconsistent with original plans, often lead to the best outcomes.

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