Edmund Burke: “One of the first symptoms they discover of a selfish and mischievous…”

On the recordJanuary 1, 1790

One of the first symptoms they discover of a selfish and mischievous ambition is a profligate disregard of a dignity which they partake with others.

Said by

Edmund Burke

Source

Continuing his analysis of the French Revolution, Burke identifies a key characteristic of selfish ambition as the contempt for shared dignity.

More from Edmund Burke

Jan 1, 1790

A state without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation.

Jan 1, 1790

The people of England will not ape the fashions they have never tried, nor go back to those which they have found mischievous on trial.

Jan 1, 1790

Those who are servants in name, as well as in effect, do not like to be told of their situation, their duty, and their obligations.

Jan 1, 1790

But an absurd theory on one side of a question forms no justification for alleging a false fact or promulgating mischievous maxims on the other.

Other voices in this conversation

Edmund Burke: “One of the first symptoms they discover of a selfish and mischievous ambition is a profligate disregard of a dignity…”