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 ACTONThe 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 ACTONThe 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.
LORD ACTONThe finest opportunity ever given to the world was thrown away because the passion of equality made vain the hope for freedom.
LORD ACTONSocialism means slavery.
LORD ACTONFrom the absolute will of an entire people there is no appeal, no redemption, no refuge but treason.
LORD ACTONIf the past has been an obstacle and a burden, knowledge of the past is the safest and the surest emancipation.
LORD ACTONThe one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority.
LORD ACTONThe danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern: every class is unfit to govern.
LORD ACTONOfficial truth is not actual truth.
LORD ACTONIf there is any presumption, it is the other way against holders of power…power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
LORD ACTONBut when modern absolutism arose, it laid claim to everything on behalf of the sovereign power….
LORD ACTONI have reached the end of my time, and have hardly come to the beginning of my task.
LORD ACTONFeudalism made land the measure and the master of all things.
LORD ACTONAuthority that does not exist for Liberty is not authority but force.
LORD ACTONDespotic power is always accompanied by corruption of morality.
LORD ACTONPower tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
LORD ACTON