Edmund Burke: “When they clash, their opposition serves only to degrade the authority that ought to predominate, and to exalt the power…”

Those who are servants in name, as well as in effect, do not like to be told of their situation, their duty, and their obligations.

Who could flatter himself that these men, suddenly, and as it were by enchantment, snatched from the humblest rank of subordination, would not be intoxicated with their unprepared greatness?

But supposing they had ranked as they ought to do, and as with us they do actually, the sides of sick-beds are not the academies for forming statesmen and legislators.

They have little regard to the obvious consequences of their doctrine, though they may see that it leaves positive authority in very few of the positive institutions of this country.