Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: “He went to look for plunder; but he was himself plundered, the country was ravaged, and the prey escaped.”

On the record
He went to look for plunder; but he was himself plundered, the country was ravaged, and the prey escaped.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke illustrates the consequences of greed, where the pursuer ends up losing everything.

Share

More from Edmund Burke

Jan 1, 1790

Let us imitate their caution, if we wish to deserve their fortune or to retain their bequests.

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1790

If any of them should happen to propose a scheme of liberty soberly limited, and defined with proper qualifications, he will be immediately outbid by his competitors, who will produce something more splendidly popular.

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
Jan 1, 1790

Our people will find employment enough for a truly patriotic, free, and independent spirit, in guarding what they possess from violation.

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation