Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: “If they mean honestly, why do they not strengthen the arms of honest men to support their ancient, legal, wise, and free…”

On the record
If they mean honestly, why do they not strengthen the arms of honest men to support their ancient, legal, wise, and free government, given to them in the spring of 1788, against the inventions of craft and the theories of ignorance and folly?
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke questions the sincerity of those who do not support the established government against deceitful innovations.

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Jan 1, 1790

They will become flatterers instead of legislators,--the instruments, not the guides of the people.

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They come from one who has been no tool of power, no flatterer of greatness, and who in his last acts does not wish to belie the tenor of his life.

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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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The improvements of the National Assembly are superficial, their errors fundamental.

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