I pray that it may be recollected that the chief delinquents have hitherto escaped, and very many of those who are fallen into the hands of justice are a poor, thoughtless set of creatures, very little aware of the nature of their offence.
Edmund Burke: “I pray that it may be recollected that the chief delinquents have hitherto escaped, and very many of those who are…”
Editor's note · Context
Burke highlights that many individuals facing justice may not fully understand the nature of their offenses.
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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.
But when the leaders choose to make themselves bidders at an auction of popularity, their talents, in the construction of the state, will be of no service.
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