Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: “But the world knows that in France there is no public,--that the country is composed but of two descriptions, audacious…”

On the record
But the world knows that in France there is no public,--that the country is composed but of two descriptions, audacious tyrants and trembling slaves.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke critiques the political situation in France, emphasizing the lack of public freedom and the oppressive nature of its leaders.

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More from Edmund Burke

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…

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Jan 1, 1790

Let us add, if we please, but let us preserve what they have left; and standing on the firm ground of the British Constitution, let us be satisfied to admire, rather than attempt to follow in their desperate flights, the aëronauts of…

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Jan 1, 1790

Not being illuminated with the light of which the gentlemen of France tell us they have got so abundant a share, they acted under a strong impression of the ignorance and fallibility of mankind.

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Jan 1, 1790

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.

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