“ Is the conduct of a war to be trusted to a man who may abhor its principle, who, in every step he may take to render it successful, confirms the power of those by whom he is oppressed? ”
Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790). copy citation
| Author | Edmund Burke |
|---|---|
| Source | Reflections on the Revolution in France |
| Topic | war trust |
| Date | 1790 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Reflections_on_the_Revolution_in_France |
Context
“from fear will never make a nation glorious. Responsibility prevents
crimes. It makes all attempts against the laws dangerous. But for a
principle of active and zealous service, none but idiots could think of it.
Is the conduct of a war to be trusted to a man who may abhor its principle,
who, in every step he may take to render it successful, confirms the power
of those by whom he is oppressed? Will foreign states seriously treat with
him who has no prerogative of peace or war? No, not so much as in a single
vote by himself or his ministers, or by any one whom he can possibly
influence.”
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