Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
LORD ACTON
When the last of the Reformers died, religion, instead of emancipating the nations, had become an excuse for the criminal art of despots. Calvin preached, and Bellarmine lectured; but Machiavelli reigned.
More Lord Acton Quotes
-
-
-
Moral precepts are constant through the ages and not obedient to circumstances.
LORD ACTON -
Feudalism made land the measure and the master of all things.
LORD ACTON -
The minority can seldom resist. But from the absolute will of an entire people there is no appeal, no redemption, no refuge but treason.
LORD ACTON -
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 -
Character is tested by true sentiments more than by conduct. A man is seldom better than his word.
LORD ACTON -
The finest opportunity ever given to the world was thrown away because the passion of equality made vain the hope for freedom.
LORD ACTON -
The test of liberty is the position and security of minorities.
LORD ACTON -
The strong man with the dagger is followed by the weak man with the sponge.
LORD ACTON -
-
Socialism means slavery.
LORD ACTON -
No public character has ever stood the revelation of private utterance and correspondence.
LORD ACTON -
-
But when modern absolutism arose, it laid claim to everything on behalf of the sovereign power….
LORD ACTON -
Learn as much by writing as by reading.
LORD ACTON