Burke was a utilitarian who was convinced that what was old was valuable by the mere fact of its arrival at maturity.

The State appeared to him an organic compound that came but slowly to its full splendour.

It was easy to destroy; creation was impossible.

Political philosophy was nothing for him but accurate generalization from experience; and he held the presumption to be against novelty.

While he did not belittle the value of reason, he was always impressed by the immense part played by prejudice in the determination of policy.