Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: If the absurd persons you mention find no way of providing for liberty, but by overturning this happy Constitution, and…

On the record
If the absurd persons you mention find no way of providing for liberty, but by overturning this happy Constitution, and introducing a frantic democracy, let us take care how we prevent better people from any rational expectations of partaking in the benefits of that Constitution as it stands.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke warns against radical changes to the Constitution that could lead to chaos.

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More from Edmund Burke

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.

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Jan 1, 1790

By adhering in this manner and on those principles to our forefathers, we are guided, not by the superstition of antiquarians, but by the spirit of philosophic analogy.

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Jan 1, 1790

If kings who did not owe their crown to the choice of their people had no title to make laws, what will become of the statute De tallagio non concedendo? of the Petition of Right? of the act of Habeas Corpus?

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Jan 1, 1790

Who could doubt but that, at any expense to the state, of which they understood nothing, they must pursue their private interests, which they understood but too well?

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