Doe Quote by Edmund Burke
“The use of force alone is but temporary. It may subdue for a moment; but it does not remove the necessity of subduing again; and a nation is not governed, which is perpetually to be conquered.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Political treatise, 1790
Force alone provides only temporary control; lasting governance requires deeper, ongoing authority.
In simple terms: Force is temporary; lasting rule needs deeper control.
Build lasting legitimacy beyond force.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- statecraft
- revolution
- colonial rule
- policy making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What sustainable structures replace force in governance?
- How does legitimacy affect long‑term stability?
Relying on force can breed resistance and instability.