A generous spirit prefers that his country should be poor, and weak, and of no account, but free, rather than powerful, prosperous, and enslaved.
LORD ACTONFor centuries it was never discovered that education was a function of the State, and the State never attempted to educate.
More Lord Acton Quotes
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The true natural check on absolute democracy is the federal system, which limits the central government by the powers reserved, and the state governments by the powers they have ceded.
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History, to be above evasion or dispute, must stand on documents, not on opinions.
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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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The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority.
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Far from being the product of a democratic revolution and of an opposition to English institutions, the constitution of the United States was the result of a powerful reaction against democracy, and in favor of the traditions of the mother country.
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Truth is the only merit that gives dignity and worth to history.
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A convinced man differs from a prejudiced man as an honest man from a liar.
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Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
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The science of politics is the one science that is deposited by the streams of history, like the grains of gold in the sand of a river; and the knowledge of the past, the record of truths revealed by experience, is eminently practical, as an instrument of action and a power that goes to making the future.
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Limitation is essential to authority. A government is legitimate only if it is effectively limited.
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Liberty and good government do not exclude each other; and there are excellent reasons why they should go together.
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The mills of God grind slowly.
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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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Though oppression may give rise to violent and repeated outbreaks, like the convulsions of a man in pain, it cannot mature a settled purpose and plan of regeneration, unless a new notion of happiness is joined to the sense of present evil.
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There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it.
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To develop and perfect and arm conscience is the great achievement of history.
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The common vice of democracy is disregard for morality.
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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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False principles, which correspond with the bad as well as with the just aspirations of mankind, are a normal and necessary element in the social life of nations.
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Moral precepts are constant through the ages and not obedient to circumstances.
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From the absolute will of an entire people there is no appeal, no redemption, no refuge but treason.
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If there is any presumption, it is the other way against holders of power…power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
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It is easier to find people fit to govern themselves than people fit to govern others.
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Socialism easily accepts despotism. It requires the strongest execution of power — power sufficient to interfere with property.
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Liberty is the prevention of control by others. This requires self-control and, therefore, religious and spiritual influences; education, knowledge, well-being.
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The principle of the Inquisition was murderous. . . . The popes were not only murderers in the great style, but they also made murder a legal basis of the Christian Church and a condition of salvation.
LORD ACTON