Edmund Burke Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"The greater the power the more dangerous the abuse."

by:	Edmund Burke (1729-1797) Irish-born British statesman, parliamentary orator, and political thinker
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Categories:	Freedom, Liberty, Power, Responsibility, Tyranny, Usurpation
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Reader comments about this quote:

Depends on who wields the power. -- Anon
Anon, well said. -- Mike, Norwalk
Although I agree with Burke's quote, I believe that there have been and are leaders who use power positively to help the downtrodden and weak. -- Sandra, Dallas
Yes Sandra, they can be so generous and kind-hearted when using someone elses money. -- cal, lewisville, tx 1
Sandra, I bet you still believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. -- jim k, Austin
Yes, Sandra, if only we could have a beneficent king all would be well. Unfortunately, good kings are hard to find. That's why we have staked the future of Liberty in America in the limited power of government, to chain the ambitions of men with the laws of the Constitution. Gandhi lead the downtrodden and weak by EMPOWERING them to be responsible for themselves even if it meant wearing a single piece of homespun cloth -- when Americans are ready to take their Freedom seriously, we will see such dedication from the downtrodden and weak, too. It may not be long... -- E Archer, NYC 2
WOW Archer, I think you took a super industrial strength excellent pill today. ;-) Glad to see you speak your mind today. -- Mike, Norwalk
Also Sandra, there is no tooth fairy and I hope this information doesn't cause you too much grief. -- jim k, Austin
I do not agree that it depends on who wields the power -- the abuse of power is not averted because of good intentions. There is never a guarantee of safety by concentrating power into the hands of a few. It is often difficult to keep that power in check. The lust for power is the root of all evil, even if you believe your intentions to be good, right, just, whatever. Those entrusted with great power in a republican form of government will have many checks and balances to regulate that power, and that seat of power is not to be held by one person but for a short term of years. Why? "The greater the power the more dangerous the abuse." -- E Archer, NYC 1
Burke a British statesmen, enough said, speaking to a tyrannical system to begin with ! Please, not worth debate. Well said Archer !! -- Ronw13, Yachats Or
-- Mary, MI

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