Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: God forbid, that, on a worthy occasion, authority should want the means of force, or the disposition to use it!

On the record
God forbid, that, on a worthy occasion, authority should want the means of force, or the disposition to use it!
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke expresses the necessity of having the means and willingness to use authority when appropriate.

Share

More from Edmund Burke

Jan 1, 1790

The ceremony of cashiering kings, of which these gentlemen talk so much at their ease, can rarely, if ever, be performed without force.

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1790

Their objects would be enlarged with their elevation; but their disposition, and habits, and mode of accomplishing their designs must remain the same.

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1790

Though a king may abdicate for his own person, he cannot abdicate for the monarchy.

gutenberg.org
Jan 1, 1790

As he is not to obey us, but we are to obey the law in him, our Constitution has made no sort of provision towards rendering him, as a servant, in any degree responsible.

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation