Edmund Burke

The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.

Kings will be tyrants from policy, when subjects are rebels from principle.

To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.

But what is liberty without wisdom, and without virtue? It is the greatest of all possible evils; for it is folly, vice, and madness, without tuition or restraint.

What ever disunites man from God, also disunites man from man.

A spirit of innovation is generally the result of a selfish temper and confined views. People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors.

The effect of liberty to individuals is that they may do what they please: we ought to see what it will please them to do, before we risk congratulations.

Nothing turns out to be so oppressive and unjust as a feeble government.

It is a general popular error to suppose the loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for its welfare.

Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver.

He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.

He that struggles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.

The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.

The arrogance of age must submit to be taught by youth.

All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.

Our patience will achieve more than our force.

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.