Explanation: Men may lose little in property by the act which takes away all their freedom. When a man is robbed of a trifle on the highway, it is not the two-pence lost that constitute the capital outrage. This is not confined to privileges. Even ancient indulgences withdrawn, without offence on the part of those who enjoyed such favours, operate as grievances.
Answer: The lines have been extracted from Edmund Burke's "Speech on Conciliation with America", an unforgettable piece in the tradition of British parliamentary speeches. Here Burke says that an act, which apparently does not cause any pecuniary loss to a man, may grieve him by taking away old privileges.
In the Parliament, Burke has come up with plans of action aiming at conciliation with America. He is proposing his resolutions. While explaining his second resolution, Burke makes the remark. He is basically replying to the objection that Americans were never 'touched and grieved' by taxes imposed on them. Burke makes an in-depth analysis. He shows what effects Acts or laws bring on people. He states that men may lose very little financially by an act, but, its psychological impact might be deep. Burke illustrates his point with an example. When a man is robbed on the highway, he is touched and grieved not only for the loss of the money but also for the loss of freedom and personal right to move safely. If an act deprives men of favors enjoyed for a long time without any apparent cause, it may cause grieve their delicate feelings. What Burke means in the lines is that the policy of taxing the colonies by the Parliament without their representation has caused grievances among them. It goes against the spirit of freedom and liberty. Burke is democratic in his approach.
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