Who said “Magnanimity in politics is not seldom the truest wisdom; and a great empire and little…”?

Verified

Edmund Burke. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceSecond Speech on Conciliation with America (1775)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Second Speech on Conciliation with America (1775).

APA

Burke, E. (n.d.). Magnanimity in politics is not seldom the truest wisdom; and a great empire and little minds go ill together. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/32909-magnanimity-in-politics-is-not-seldom-the-truest/

MLA

Burke, Edmund. “Magnanimity in politics is not seldom the truest wisdom; and a great empire and little minds go ill together.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/32909-magnanimity-in-politics-is-not-seldom-the-truest/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Burke, Edmund. “Magnanimity in politics is not seldom the truest wisdom; and a great empire and little minds go ill together.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/32909-magnanimity-in-politics-is-not-seldom-the-truest/.