The Works of ... Edmund Burke, Volume 9

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F. & C. Rivington, 1812 - English literature

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Page 112 - It is an obvious truth, that no constitution can defend itself: it must be defended by the wisdom and fortitude of men. These are what no constitution can give : they are the gifts of God ; and he alone knows whether we shall possess such gifts at the time we stand in need of them.
Page 351 - ... justice. All human laws are, properly speaking, only declaratory ; they may alter the mode and application, but have no power over the substance of original justice. The other foundation of law, which is utility, must be understood, not of partial or limited, but of general and public utility, connected in the same manner with, and derived directly from, our rational nature...
Page 194 - ... procured by foreign mercenary troops, and secured by standing armies. These may possibly be the foundation of other thrones ; they must be the subversion of yours. It was not to passive principles in our ancestors that we owe the honour of appearing before a sovereign who cannot feel that he is a prince, without knowing that we ought to be free. The Revolution is a departure from the ancient course of the descent of this monarchy.
Page 348 - A Law against the majority of the the people is in substance a Law against the people itself: its extent determines its invalidity; it even changes its character as it enlarges its operation : it is not particular injustice, but general oppression ; and can no longer be considered as a private hardship, which might be borne, but spreads and grows up into the unfortunate importance of a national calamity.
Page 372 - In general, the vices and follies of individual owners of property are borne with, because they are scattered, single cases, and do not strike at the root of order.
Page 320 - The people may be deceived in their choice of an object. But I can scarcely conceive any choice they can make to be so very mischievous as the existence of any human force capable of resisting it.
Page 119 - ... can go to any part of Europe without taking this place of pestilential contagion in his way: and whilst the less active part of the community will be debauched by this travel; whilst children are poisoned at these schools, our trade will put the finishing hand to our ruin. No factory will be settled in France, that will not become a club of complete French jacobins. The minds of young men of that description will receive a taint in their religion, their morals, and their politics, which they...
Page 378 - ... as are consistent with the laws of Ireland : or as they did enjoy in the reign of king Charles the Second : and their majesties, as soon as their affairs will permit them to summon a parliament in this kingdom, will endeavour to procure the said Roman Catholics such further security in that particular, as may preserve them from any disturbance upon the account of their said religion.
Page 426 - It is neither more nor less than the resolution of one set of people in Ireland to consider themselves as the sole citizens in the commonwealth ; and to keep a dominion over the rest by reducing them to absolute slavery under a military power...
Page 118 - Is it for this benefit we open " the usual relations of peace and amity ?" Is it for this our youth of both sexes are to form themselves by travel ? Is it for this that with expense and pains we form their lisping infant accents to the language of France ? I shall be told that this abominable medley is made rather to revolt young and ingenuous minds.

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