Edmund Burke

Even the Lutheran obstinacy of Sweden has thawed at length, and opened a toleration to all religions.

None will barter away the immediate jewel of his soul.

If you do not fall in with this motion, then secure something to fight for, consistent in theory and valuable in practice.

Nothing is opposed to all this but a paper without signature, and therefore of no authority, attended with a translation of a very extraordinary appearance; and this paper, in apologizing for it, confirms the facts beyond a doubt.

An innocent man would take a shorter and easier course.

A plebeian oligarchy is a monster; and no people, not absolutely domestic or predial slaves, will long endure it.

He directly set up an independent right to administer the government according to his pleasure; and he went so far as to bottom his claim to act independently of the Court of Directors on the very statute which commanded his obedience to…

Much more truly was his conduct a virtual resignation of his lawful office, and at the same time an usurpation of a situation which did not belong to him, to hold a subordinate office, and to refuse to act according to its duties.

But a Catholic parish priest learns little for his peculiar purpose and duty in a Protestant college.

Why should I, when the things charged are among those upon which I found all my reputation?

It was expected in Bengal that some strong measures would have immediately been taken to preserve the just rights of the king and of the Court of Directors; as this proceeding, unaccompanied with the severest animadversion, manifestly…

But much doubt may arise whether this monopoly will be found advantageous to the Company either in the one capacity or the other.

The laws against foreign education are clearly the very worst part of the old code.

It is plain that there can be no life and vigor in any business under a monopoly so constituted; nor can the true productive resources of the country, in so large an article of its commerce, ever come to be fully known.

For many years past the Company's servants have presided in those courts, and in comparison with their authority the native authority is nothing.

I know well that there is a cant language current, about the difference between an exclusion from employments, even to the most rigorous extent, and an exclusion from the natural benefits arising from a man's own industry.

If our member's conduct can bear this touch, mark it for sterling.

Turn your eyes to those popular grants from whence all your great supplies are come, and learn to respect that only source of public wealth in the British empire.

The same influence that screened an European from the jurisdiction of the country courts would have equally protected his native agent and representative.

Since the establishment of the Company's influence in Bengal, no Europeans, of any rank whatever, have been subject to the process of the country judicature; and whether they act avowedly for themselves, and take farms in their own name…

All this accumulation of calamity, the greatest that ever fell upon one man, has fallen upon his head, because he had left his virtues unguarded by caution,--because he was not taught, that, where power is concerned, he who will confer…

The Company might suffer above, the natives might suffer below; the intermediate party must profit to the prejudice of both.

Many reasons are alleged by its authors in its favor, grounded on the state of their affairs; none whatever are assigned for the alteration.

They will thank God they have a standard, which, in the most essential point of this great concern, will put them on a par with the most wise and knowing.

But the use of character is to be a shield against calumny.