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John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.

Page 411

 
 
Edmund Burke. (1729–1797) (continued)
 
4426
    He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.
          Reflections on the Revolution in France. Vol. iii. p. 453.
4427
    To execute laws is a royal office; to execute orders is not to be a king. However, a political executive magistracy, though merely such, is a great trust. 1
          Reflections on the Revolution in France. Vol. iii. p. 497.
4428
    You can never plan the future by the past. 2
          Letter to a Member of the National Assembly. Vol. iv. p. 55.
4429
    The cold neutrality of an impartial judge.
          Preface to Brissot’s Address. Vol. v. p. 67.
4430
    And having looked to Government for bread, on the very first scarcity they will turn and bite the hand that fed them. 3
          Thoughts and Details on Scarcity. Vol. v. p. 156.
4431
    All men that are ruined, are ruined on the side of their natural propensities.
          Letter i. On a Regicide Peace. Vol. v. p. 286.
4432
    All those instances to be found in history, whether real or fabulous, of a doubtful public spirit, at which morality is perplexed, reason is staggered, and from which affrighted Nature recoils, are their chosen and almost sole examples for the instruction of their youth.
          Letter i. On a Regicide Peace. Vol. v. p. 286.
4433
    Example is the school of mankind, and they will learn at no other.
          Letter i. On a Regicide Peace. Vol. v. p. 331.
4434
    Early and provident fear is the mother of safety.
          Speech on the Petition of the Unitarians. Vol. vii. p. 50.
4435
    There never was a bad man that had ability for good service.
          Speech in opening the Impeachment of Warren Hastings, Third Day. Vol. x. p. 54.
4436
    The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.
          Speech at County Meeting of Bucks, 1784.
 
Note 1.
See Appendix, Quotation 45. [back]
Note 2.
I know no way of judging of the future but by the past.—Patrick Henry: Speech in the Virginia Convention, March, 1775. [back]
Note 3.
We set ourselves to bite the hand that feeds us.—Cause of the Present Discontents, vol. i. p. 439. [back]