“People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors.”

— 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.”

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

“He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”