It is easier to find people fit to govern themselves than people fit to govern others.
LORD ACTONFar 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.
More Lord Acton Quotes
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At all times sincere friends of freedom have been rare, and its triumphs have been due to minorities.
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Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end…liberty is the only object which benefits all alike, and provokes no sincere opposition…
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If the past has been an obstacle and a burden, knowledge of the past is the safest and the surest emancipation.
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Truth is the only merit that gives dignity and worth to history.
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We are not sure we are right until we have made the best case possible for those who are wrong.
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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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Democracy generally monopolizes and concentrates power.
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The test of liberty is the position and security of minorities.
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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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History provides neither compensation for suffering nor penalties for wrong.
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To develop and perfect and arm conscience is the great achievement of history.
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There is not a more perilous or immoral habit of mind than the sanctifying of success.
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Be not content with the best book; seek sidelights from the others; have no favourites.
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Men cannot be made good by the state, but they can easily be made bad. Morality depends on liberty.
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The will of the people cannot make just that which is unjust.
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Despotic power is always accompanied by corruption of morality.
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When you perceive a truth, look for the balancing truth.
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Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority: still more when you superadd the tendency or the certainty of corruption by authority.
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Authority that does not exist for Liberty is not authority but force.
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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 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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From the absolute will of an entire people there is no appeal, no redemption, no refuge but treason.
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Limitation is essential to authority. A government is legitimate only if it is effectively limited.
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Liberty, next to religion has been the motive of good deeds and the common pretext of crime, from the sowing of the seed at Athens, 2,460 years ago, until the ripened harvest was gathered by men of our race
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In England Parliament is above the law. In America the law is above Congress.
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Fanaticism in religion is the alliance of the passions she condemns with the dogmas she professes.
LORD ACTON