“Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants.”

— Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France, 1790

About Edmund Burke

1729 – 1797

Irish statesman and political philosopher, author of "Reflections on the Revolution in France".

“Early and provident fear is the mother of safety.”

“Our patience will achieve more than our force.”

“Power gradually extirpates from the mind every humane and gentle virtue.”

“A little flesh, a little breath, and a Reason to rule all—that is myself.”

“I know that my unity with all people cannot be destroyed by national boundaries and government orders.”

“The Circumlocution Office was (as everybody knows without being told) the most important Department under Government.”

“seeker of truth follow no path all paths lead where truth is here”

“The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.”

“It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.”