James Burgh Quotes

• No kingdom can be secured otherwise than by arming the people. The possession of arms is the distinction between a freeman and a slave. He, who has nothing, and who himself belongs to another, must be defended by him, whose property he is, and needs no arms. But he, who thinks he is his own master, and has what he can call his own, ought to have arms to defend himself, and what he possesses; else he lives precariously, and at discretion.

  James Burgh

  Gun, Thinking, People

  James Burgh (2009). “Political Disquisitions”, p.390, Applewood Books

  42 Copy quote

• If you would not have affliction visit you twice, listen at once to what it teaches.

  James Burgh

  Visits You, Listening, Affliction

  James Burgh (1816). “Of knowledge”, p.126

  45 Copy quote

• No Kingdom can be secured otherwise than by arming the people. The possession of arms is the distinction between a freeman and a slave.

  James Burgh

  Gun, People, Second Amendment

  James Burgh (2009). “Political Disquisitions”, p.390, Applewood Books

  24 Copy quote

• All lawful authority, legislative, and executive, originates from the people.

  James Burgh

  Government, People, Authority

  James Burgh (1775). “Political Disquisitions: Or, An Inquiry Into Public Errors, Defects, and Abuses. Illustrated By, and Established Upon Facts and Remarks, Extracted from a Variety of Authors, Ancient and Modern...”, p.3

  6 Copy quote

• In prosperity prepare for a change; in adversity hope for one.

  James Burgh

  Change, Adversity, Prosperity

  James Burgh (1794). “The Dignity of Human Nature; or, a Brief account of the certain and established means for attaining the true end of our existence ... By J. B. (James Burgh.)”, p.104

  8 Copy quote

• If you have a friend that will reprove your faults and foibles, consider you enjoy a blessing which the king upon the throne cannot have.

  James Burgh

  Kings, Blessing, Thrones

  James Burgh (1794). “The Dignity of Human Nature; or, a Brief account of the certain and established means for attaining the true end of our existence ... By J. B. (James Burgh.)”, p.31

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• ....there is no end to observations on the difference between the measures likely to be pursued by a minister backed by a standing army, and those of a court awed by the fear of an armed people.

  James Burgh

  Army, Differences, People

  James Burgh (1774). “Political Disquisitions: Or, An Enquiry Into Public Errors, Defects, and Abuses”, p.476

  6 Copy quote

• In disputes upon moral or scientific points, ever let your aim be to come at truth, not to conquer your opponent. So you never shall be at a loss in losing the argument, and gaining a new discovery.

  James Burgh

  Loss, Discovery, Opponents

  James Burgh (1816). “Of prudence”, p.38

  6 Copy quote

• If a favour is asked of you, grant it if you can. If not, refuse it in such a manner as that one denial may be sufficient.

  James Burgh

  Denial, May, Favour

  James Burgh (1767). “The Dignity of Human Nature: Or, A Brief Account of the Certain and Established Means for Attaining the True End of Our Existence. In Four Books ...”, p.38

  6 Copy quote

• Yesterday for contemplation, today for action.

  James Burgh

  Yesterday, Today, Action

  4 Copy quote

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