Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
LORD ACTONIn every age its (liberty’s) progress has been beset by its natural enemies, by ignorance and superstition, by lust of conquest and by love of ease, by the strong man’s craving for power, and the poor man’s craving for food
More Lord Acton Quotes
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For centuries it was never discovered that education was a function of the State, and the State never attempted to educate.
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The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern: every class is unfit to govern.
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There are two things which cannot be attacked in front: ignorance and narrow-mindedness. They can only be shaken by the simple development of the contrary qualities. They will not bear discussion.
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Do not turn yourself from an end into a means-one does not justify the other.
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There should be a law to the People besides its own will.
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There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it.
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Democracy generally monopolizes and concentrates power.
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The issue which has swept down the centuries and which will have to be fought sooner or later is the people versus the banks.
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Liberty is the prevention of control by others.
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The minority can seldom resist. But from the absolute will of an entire people there is no appeal, no redemption, no refuge but treason.
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Character is tested by true sentiments more than by conduct. A man is seldom better than his word.
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It is bad to be oppressed by a minority, but it is worse to be oppressed by a majority. For there is a reserve of latent power in the masses which, if it is called into play.
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I’m not a driven businessman, but a driven artist. I never think about money. Beautiful things make money.
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Learn as much by writing as by reading.
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Limitation is essential to authority. A government is legitimate only if it is effectively limited.
LORD ACTON