Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: Conquest may cover its baldness with its own laurels, and the ambition of the conqueror may be hid in the secrets of his…

On the record
Conquest may cover its baldness with its own laurels, and the ambition of the conqueror may be hid in the secrets of his own heart under a veil of benevolence, and make him imagine he is bringing temporary desolation upon a country only to promote its ultimate advantage and his own glory.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke discusses the deceptive nature of conquest, where ambition is cloaked in the guise of benevolence.

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