Quote#Nature
Your pretended fear lest error should step in, is like the man that…
Quote byOliver Cromwell · 1599–1658
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Letter to Walter Dundas (12 September 1650).
English (original)
Your pretended fear lest error should step in, is like the man that would keep all the wine out of the country lest men should be drunk. It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy, to deny a man the liberty he hath by nature upon a supposition that he may abuse it.
— Oliver Cromwell
More from Oliver Cromwell
The State, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions; if they be willing faithfully to serve it – that satisfies. I advised you formerly to bear with men of different minds from yourself.
God made them as stubble to our swords.
A few honest men are better than numbers.
I had rather have a plain, russet-coated Captain, that knows what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that you call a Gentleman and is nothing else.
If the remonstrance had been rejected I would have sold all I had the next morning and never have seen England more, and I know there are many other modest men of the same resolution.
Truly England and the church of God hath had a great favour from the Lord, in this great victory given us.