A great empire and little minds go ill together.
Edmund BurkeRead
A populace never rebels from passion for attack, but from impatience of suffering.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People revolt not out of desire for aggression, but due to the pain they endure.
Edmund Burke's quote highlights the motivations behind rebellion, suggesting that it is not driven by a thirst for violence or aggression, but rather by a deep-seated frustration and suffering that compels people to seek change. The quote emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying grievances that lead to societal upheaval, reminding us that suffering can be a powerful catalyst for transformation.
Themes
RebellionSufferingChangeMotivationSociety
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the French Revolution to illustrate the people's motivations.
More from Edmund Burke
All quotes →To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.
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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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Society can overlook murder, adultery or swindling; it never forgives preaching of a new gospel.
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
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