Quote#Freedom
If pretended revelations have caused wars where they were opposed,…
Quote byEdmund Burke · 1729–1797
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: A Vindication of Natural Society (1756).
English (original)
If pretended revelations have caused wars where they were opposed, and slavery where they were received, the pretended wise inventions of politicians have done the same. But the slavery has been much heavier, the wars far more bloody, and both more universal by many degrees.
— Edmund Burke
More from Edmund Burke
In vain you tell me that artificial government is good, but that I fall out only with the abuse. The thing! the thing itself is the abuse!
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
I need not excuse myself to your Lordship, nor, I think, to any honest man, for the zeal I have shown in this cause; for it is an honest zeal, and in a good cause. I have defended natural religion against a confederacy of atheists and …
Parties in religion and politics make sufficient discoveries concerning each other, to give a sober man a proper caution against them all.
The writers against religion, whilst they oppose every system, are wisely careful never to set up any of their own.
These few have the passions of the one; and they unite to strengthen themselves, and to secure the gratification of their lawless passions at the expense of the general good.