Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: These philosophers are fanatics: independent of any interest, which, if it operated alone, would make them much more…

On the record
These philosophers are fanatics: independent of any interest, which, if it operated alone, would make them much more tractable, they are carried with such an headlong rage towards every desperate trial that they would sacrifice the whole human race to the slightest of their experiments.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke critiques the reckless nature of certain philosophers who prioritize experimentation over human welfare.

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