Edmund Burke and His Relevancy Today

The Right Honorable Edmund Burke (born January 12, 1729 and died July 9, 1797) was an Irish statesman who served for many years in the British House of Commons as a member of the Whig party. He was considered one of the finest political and philosophical orators in Britain . He is remembered for his support of the American colonies in the struggle against King George III that led to the American Revolution. Burke founded and published the Annual Register, a political review, and he is thought of as one of the philosophical founder of modern conservatism.

Some of my favorite Burke quotes and how I either interpret them or see relevancy today:

“The true danger is when liberty is nibbled away, for expedience, and by parts.” This is almost like Burke is standing among us today and commenting upon the degradation of civil liberties, excess regulations that squash business and anti-constitutional acts committed not only by the Obama Administration but by other by editions of the White House and Congress as well.


“By gnawing through a dike, even a rat may drown a nation.” This explains Burke’s view of the method of destruction of this Nation,…the slow, blow by blow whittling down of this Country’s great institutions, foremost among them the Constitution.


“Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny.” From everything this side of environmental protection laws to gun laws, the People, their pursuit of happiness,……and the recovery of our economy is over burdened by a Federal Government way too large and who grabs too much power in their own interests of self perpetuation.


“Facts are to the mind what food is to the body.” This is a concept that many liberal commentators and legislators just do not understand. We see example after example of this with such notable liars and truth benders, such as Obama himself, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Gibbs the White house Press Secretary, etc., not letting facts get in their way.


“Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises, for never intending to go beyond promise, it costs nothing.” When I read this, I see “Hope and Change”. And to copy someone else’s quip,….how’’s that hope and change coming for you?


“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” By far my favorite Burke quote, this serves as a rallying cry to us to stand up and be counted,…at the polls, through legislative contact,..letters to the editors, educating our children,…. and just plain talking to people. Ultimately, this is the founding reason why the Tea Party was created spontaneously across the country.