Political Quotes

Edmund Burke: “What we did was in truth and substance, and in a constitutional light, a revolution, not made, but prevented.”

On the record
What we did was in truth and substance, and in a constitutional light, a revolution, not made, but prevented.
Said by
Edmund Burke

Editor's note · Context

Burke asserts that their actions were revolutionary in nature, though not in the traditional sense of making a revolution.

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Jan 1, 1790

I think our happy situation owing to our Constitution,--but owing to the whole of it, and not to any part singly,--owing in a great measure to what we have left standing in our several reviews and reformations, as well as to what we have…

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Jan 1, 1790

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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Jan 1, 1790

Our people will find employment enough for a truly patriotic, free, and independent spirit, in guarding what they possess from violation.

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Jan 1, 1790

Whatever they are, I wish my countrymen rather to recommend to our neighbors the example of the British Constitution than to take models from them for the improvement of our own.

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