On the recordJanuary 1, 1790
They seemed to me, beyond the clerical character, liberal and open, with the hearts of gentlemen and men of honor, neither insolent nor servile in their manners and conduct.
Said by
Edmund Burke
Source
gutenberg.orgEdmund Burke: “They seemed to me, beyond the clerical character, liberal and open, with the hearts of gentlemen and men of honor…”
Editor's note · Context
From his reflections on the French Revolution, Burke describes the higher French clergy as possessing liberal, honorable, and balanced characters, beyond their clerical roles.
Share
More from Edmund Burke
Jan 1, 1790
If any of them should happen to propose a scheme of liberty soberly limited, and defined with proper qualifications, he will be immediately outbid by his competitors, who will produce something more splendidly popular.
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.
Jan 1, 1790
Let us imitate their caution, if we wish to deserve their fortune or to retain their bequests.
Jan 1, 1790
They will become flatterers instead of legislators,--the instruments, not the guides of the people.
Other voices in this conversation
