A great empire and little minds go ill together.
Edmund BurkeRead
I do not know the method of drawing up an indictment against a whole people.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the impossibility of holding an entire population accountable for the actions of a few.
Edmund Burke's quote highlights the challenge and moral dilemma of blaming or punishing an entire group for the actions of some individuals within that group. It suggests that collective guilt is unjust and that each person should be judged on their own merits and actions, rather than being condemned as part of a larger entity.
Themes
IndictmentPeopleJusticeAccountabilityCollective Guilt
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on social justice, citing this quote can emphasize the importance of individual accountability.
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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I've seen a lot of patriots and they all died just like anybody else if it hurt bad enough and once they were dead their patriotism was only good for legends; it was bad for their prose and made them write bad poetry. If you are going to be a great patriot i.e. loyal to any existing order of government (not one who wishes to destroy the existing for something better) you want to be killed early if your life and works won't stink.
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