Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: Some decent, regulated preëminence, some preference (not exclusive appropriation) given to birth, is neither unnatural…

On the recordJanuary 1, 1790
Some decent, regulated preëminence, some preference (not exclusive appropriation) given to birth, is neither unnatural, nor unjust, nor impolitic.
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Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

From his critique of the French Revolution, Burke argues for the natural and just role of a regulated hereditary preeminence in society.

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