A great empire and little minds go ill together.
Edmund BurkeRead
Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A representative should prioritize their judgment over popular opinion when serving the people.
This quote by Edmund Burke emphasizes the importance of independent judgment in leadership. It argues that a representative has a duty to use their own insight and understanding rather than simply conforming to the opinions of their constituents, suggesting that blind adherence to public sentiment can lead to ineffective and unwise governance.
Themes
RepresentationJudgmentLeadershipOpinionService
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a political speech to emphasize the importance of principled leadership.
More from Edmund Burke
All quotes βTo read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.
Edmund BurkeRead
Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver.
Edmund BurkeRead
The hottest fires in hell are reserved for those who remain neutral in times of moral crisis.
Edmund BurkeRead
Society can overlook murder, adultery or swindling; it never forgives preaching of a new gospel.
Edmund BurkeRead
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
Edmund BurkeRead
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