Edmund Burke: 'To tax and to please, no more than to love and to be wise, is not given to men.'

To tax and to please, no more than to love and to be wise, is not given to men.

The quote by Edmund Burke, "To tax and to please, no more than to love and to be wise, is not given to men," carries a profound message about the limitations of human beings. It suggests that just as it is impossible for men to simultaneously love and be wise, it is similarly impossible for them to both tax and please. At first glance, this quote serves as a reminder that balancing conflicting interests is a challenging task. However, we can delve further into its implications by introducing the concept of Stoicism, an ancient philosophy that emphasizes self-control and rationality.In essence, Edmund Burke's quote can be summarized as a recognition of the inherent contradiction between taxing and pleasing. To tax implies imposing financial burdens on individuals, often causing discontent and resentment. On the other hand, to please signifies the art of satisfying and appeasing people. These two endeavors seem to be at odds with each other, as pleasing usually involves making concessions, providing incentives, or rendering services that may reduce the ability to tax effectively. Thus, Burke asserts that it is difficult, if not impossible, for men to successfully accomplish both these objectives.Now, let us turn our attention to Stoicism, an ancient Greek philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BC. Stoicism teaches individuals to accept the things they cannot control and focus on developing their inner virtues and reason. It promotes self-discipline, emotional resilience, and the pursuit of wisdom as the path to happiness.In the context of Burke's quote, Stoicism provides a philosophical lens through which we can analyze the limitations faced by individuals when trying to balance conflicting interests. Stoicism acknowledges that complete mastery over external circumstances is unattainable, and thus, attempts to tax and please will invariably fall short in some way. Instead of attempting the impossible, Stoicism encourages individuals to focus on what lies within their control – their attitudes, choices, and judgments.In Stoic philosophy, the ideal life is one embodying wisdom, temperance, courage, and justice. By aligning one's actions with these virtues, individuals can cultivate inner peace and harmony, even if external circumstances do not always align with their desires. Applying this Stoic perspective to Burke's quote, we can interpret it as a reminder that true wisdom lies in recognizing the inherent limitations imposed upon us by the conflicting nature of taxing and pleasing.When individuals attempt to tax and please simultaneously without acknowledging these limitations, they may find themselves in a perpetual state of dissonance. However, a Stoic outlook would enable them to accept and navigate through this contradiction more gracefully. It encourages individuals to make wise choices, assessing their values and priorities, and weighing the consequences of their actions.In conclusion, Edmund Burke's quote holds an essential insight into the inherent limitations of human beings when confronted with the conflicting objectives of taxing and pleasing. By introducing the concept of Stoicism, we can appreciate that the pursuit of wisdom and self-control is crucial in navigating these contradictions. The Stoic philosophy reminds us that it is wiser to focus on what lies within our control – our own attitudes and actions – rather than futilely attempting to accomplish the impossible. Ultimately, by embodying the virtues of wisdom, temperance, courage, and justice, we can find fulfillment and peace despite the inescapable tensions presented by the world around us.