Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: Descriptions of men of their own race, but better in rank, superior in property and decorum, of honorable, decent, and…

On the record
Descriptions of men of their own race, but better in rank, superior in property and decorum, of honorable, decent, and orderly habits, are absolutely necessary to bring them to such a frame as to qualify them so much as to come into contact with a civilized nation.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke believes that positive examples from within a society are essential for progress.

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