His innocence regarded himself; his character regarded the public justice, regarded his authority, and the respect due to the English in that country.
Edmund Burke: “His innocence regarded himself; his character regarded the public justice, regarded his authority, and the respect due…”
Editor's note · Context
Burke highlights the distinction between personal innocence and the public perception of a leader's character.
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More from Edmund Burke
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…
Whatever they are, I wish my countrymen rather to recommend to our neighbors the example of the British Constitution than to take models from them for the improvement of our own.
But when the leaders choose to make themselves bidders at an auction of popularity, their talents, in the construction of the state, will be of no service.
Let us imitate their caution, if we wish to deserve their fortune or to retain their bequests.





