Business Quote by Edmund Burke
““Certainly, Gentlemen, it ought to be the happiness and glory of a representative to live in the strictest union, the closest correspondence, and the most unreserved communication with his constituents. Their wishes ought to have great weight with him; their opinions high respect; their business unremitted attention. It is his duty to sacrifice his repose, his /pleasure, his satisfactions, to theirs/, --- and above all, ever, and in all cases, to prefer their interest to his own. But his unbiased opinion, his mature judgement, his enlightened conscience, he ought not to sacrifice to you, to any man, or to any set of men living. These he does not derive from your pleasure, --- no, nor from the law and the Constitution. They are a trust from Providence, for the abuse of which he is deeply answerable. Your Representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgement; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinions.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Political Treatise, 1774
A representative must prioritize constituents' interests while maintaining independent judgment, not merely echoing public opinion.
In simple terms: Serve people, keep independent judgment.
Balance duty to constituents with personal integrity.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legislative work
- constituent meetings
- policy making
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can a representative stay true to conscience while meeting voter expectations?
- What mechanisms protect independent judgment?
Independent judgment may conflict with popular demands, causing political risk.