Who said “When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an…”?

Verified

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

SourceThoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents (1770)

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“When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.”
— Edmund Burke
VerifiedThoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents (1770) · evidenceAlliances

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents (1770).

APA

Burke, E. (n.d.). When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6142-when-bad-men-combine-the-good-must-associate/

MLA

Burke, Edmund. “When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6142-when-bad-men-combine-the-good-must-associate/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Burke, Edmund. “When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6142-when-bad-men-combine-the-good-must-associate/.

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