A great empire and little minds go ill together.
Edmund BurkeRead
Society can overlook murder, adultery or swindling; it never forgives preaching of a new gospel.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that society tends to tolerate serious wrongdoings but is often unforgiving towards those who challenge the established norms or beliefs.
Edmund Burke's quote reflects on the nature of societal norms and the resistance to change that can be found within a community. While acts like murder, adultery, and swindling may be condemned, society often responds more harshly to revolutionary ideas or new beliefs that threaten the status quo. This highlights the difficulty of introducing new concepts or 'gospels' that aim to change the way people think or behave, indicating a deeper fear and defensiveness towards the unknown.
Themes
SocietyNew IdeasForgivenessChangeGospel
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about social reform, this quote can emphasize the challenges faced by those advocating for change.
More from Edmund Burke
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Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver.
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The hottest fires in hell are reserved for those who remain neutral in times of moral crisis.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
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Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites.
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