Birthday Quote

Edmund Burke
An Irish statesman born in Dublin, as well as an author, orator, political theorist, and philosopher who, after moving to London, served as an MP for many years with the Whig Party.

Born 12 January 1729 in Dublin
Died 9 July 1797 in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

In the twentieth century (according to Wikipedia), Burke became widely regarded as the philosophical founder of modern conservatism. In view of this, and the fact that he is a rich source of quotations, it seems a shame not to publish several of them on his birthday.

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

Mere parsimony is not economy. Expense, and great expense, may be an essential part in true economy.

In a democracy, the majority of the citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppressions upon the minority

It is not what a lawyer tells me I may do; but what humanity, reason, and justice tell me I ought to do

and, finally.....

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

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