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About this quote

What does it mean?
Opposing forces in nature and politics create balance through their struggle.
In plain terms
Conflicting powers working against each other create harmony.
What can you take from it?
Conflict between opposing forces can produce balance and harmony.

Where it applies

  • political systems
  • nature
  • social dynamics

Putting it to work

  • accept tension in systems
  • look for balance in conflict

Questions to consider

  • Where do you see balance in conflict?
  • Is struggle necessary for harmony?

Another view

Some conflicts destroy harmony rather than creating it.

More from Edmund Burke

  1. Writers, especially when they act in a body and with one direction, have great influence on the public mind.

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  2. Whatever is supreme in a state, ought to have, as much as possible, its judicial authority so constituted as not only not to depend upon it, but in some sort t…

    Permalink to quote #146
  3. Whilst shame keeps its watch, virtue is not wholly extinguished in the heart; nor will moderation be utterly exiled from the minds of tyrants.

    Permalink to quote #143

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